By Erik Gudris | Sunday, May 3, 2015

 

France's Alize Cornet upset No. 2 seed and last year's finalist Simona Halep in their opening round match in Madrid.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

France's Alize Cornet kept her trademark emotions under control as she took control over No. 2 seed Simona Halep. The result? An upset victory for Cornet at the Madrid Open.

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Halep, at a career World No. 2 ranking, entered the match as the favorite having reached the final last year. But a combination of steady defense from Cornet along with uncharacteristic errors from Halep added up to a win for the 28th ranked Frenchwoman.

Both women were broken at least once in the first set as they entered what became a tense tiebreak. Halep held a set point but Cornet erased it with an all or nothing down the line backhand winner.

Soon, Cornet held a set point and was gifted it by Halep who served a double fault.

Though Halep by now had hit over 20 unforced errors, there was still doubt as to if Cornet could keep her emotions in check as she worked to maintain her lead.

Halep fought off early break points in the second set but then found herself serving down 0-40 at 2-all. But Halep netted on what appeared to be an easy backhand to give Cornet the break at 3-2.

Cornet, with more rock solid defense in the longer rallies, held off Halep's bid to level the set. Another Halep backhand error put Cornet just a game away from the win at 5-3.

If Cornet worried she might have to serve out the match, she needn't have. Halep got in trouble again trying to stay in the match and found herself down match point. Halep saved it with a potent forehand in the corner. Yet Cornet would earn a second match point right away.

Halep hit a final forehand into the net. After keeping her cool all match long, Cornet finally broke out into big smiles on securing the 7-6(6), 6-3 victory.

Cornet hit 19 winners and 25 unforced errors compared to 17 winners and 38 unforced errors from her opponent.

This is now Cornet's fourth top two win since February of last year that includes multiple wins over Serena Williams.