Team Frances Alize Cornet and Arthur Rinderknech both passed the test of a first-time encounter with flying colours on Thursday at the United Cup, where they defeated Team Argentinas Maria Lourdes Carle and Francisco Cerundolo, respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a double-header of first-time tour-level meetings, Cornet and Rinderknech each secured straight-sets wins to move sixth-seeded Team France to a 2-0 lead in their opening Group F tie.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cornet, a quarter-finalist at the 2022 Australian Open, cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 victory against No.147-ranked Carle in one hour and 15 minutes. The first five games were filled with extended baseline exchanges as both players probed each other's games while refusing to miss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was University of Georgia alumna Carle, 22, who ran out of ideas first. A lapse into error handed Cornet the first break for 4-2, and the Frenchwoman seized momentum firmly to reel off six straight games, including 13 of the last 14 points of the first set.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punishing Carle's second serves and getting the better of the all-court rallies, Cornet was in control at 2-0 in the second set -- until she squandered three game points for 3-0. Carle took advantage, breaking back with a vicious slice to halt the run of games against her.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Cornet refused to let that become a turning point. A booming backhand winner down the line regained her advantage for 3-1 and she did not drop another game, sealing her first match point with an authoritative smash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I barely knew anything about [Carle]. I got to see that she had a pretty good forehand and she was moving around on the court well. She's a grinder too, and really motivated. I felt she was ready for the fight, so I was trying to be even more ready than her. Overall, I was trying to stay focused on what I had to do myself, leaning on my strengths, and I thought I did it pretty well," said Cornet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The first four games were pretty tight -- I was feeling the nerves, to be honest! -- and then I played better and better. I loosened up my game and it was a pretty entertaining match for the crowd and for me," she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the final match of the day on RAC Arena, Rinderknech produced a clinical display to down Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 6-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The warning signs were there early for Cerundolo, No. 30 in the ATP Rankings. He faced two break points at 15\/40 in the opening game of the match and despite digging deep to hold serve he could not forge a repeat when the same situation arose in the seventh game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Relentless clean hitting from Rinderknech forced Cerundolo to push a forehand wide at 3-3, 30\/40, and the Frenchman's typically powerful serving ensured his opponent had little opportunity to fight back from then on in the first set.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rinderknech was dialled in on serve throughout and he faced no break points during the 91-minute encounter. That meant his two breaks of the Cerundolo serve in the second set were more than enough to complete a convincing victory and secure a commanding 2-0 lead for his team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was another impressive showing on Australian soil from the 27-year-old Rinderknech, who reached his maiden ATP Final at the Adelaide International 2 in 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I love the courts here in Australia. I felt really good last year. It was my first time in Australia, so I hope for another good summer [here]. I played really well on the big points, it helped me a lot, and I'm happy with the win tonight," said Rinderknech in his on-court interview.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Team Argentina will now look to Nadia Podoroska and Federico Coria in Friday's singles matches to try and stay alive in the tie. Both face higher-ranked opponents, however, with Podoroska taking on World No. 4 and WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia and Coria taking ATP World No. 46 Adrian Mannarino.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I love the courts here in Australia. I felt really good last year. It was my first time in Australia, so I hope for another good summer [here]. I played really well on the big points, it helped me a lot, and I'm happy with the win tonight," said Rinderknech in his on-court interview.<\/p>\r\n\r\n