Alize Cornet

What It Takes To Become A Champion

2008-04-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

As written in my very first post, I started a Fan Blog about Alize out of all other players on WTA Tour, for I saw in Alize the play, style, grace and looks of a champion, alike Martina Hingins once just Alize being much tougher.

To become a champion is not in the muscles, then champions would be titled after the medical tests based upon physical endurance. It takes body and mind be in the unity, healthy spirit, positive attitude, passion for the game, skills..

Mental toughness, willingness to give all you've got to tennis, dedicate yourself to success, stay hungry for wins and the aplause, have the spell in you to make the sports magic happen on the courts when you play, be invincible, undeniable, special.

Along side a fan blog about Alize, I begun to write blogs about Ana Ivanovic WTA World #2, Jelena Jankovic WTA World #3 and Novak Djokovic ATP World #3, since I come from the same country they do and am familiar with their winning mentallity.

Ana, Jelena and Novak come from the same city, small country with not too great tennis tradition, they climbed up the WTA/ATP list together, became world celebrities, earned first $million and now target World #1 positions at ralatively the same time.

Like a team work found in running or cycling, as one of them would achieve a career high, the other would follow, one would take the lead, the other overtake it and so on, mutually progressing to where they are now, within the WTA/ATP World Top 3, on their way to #1 position.

They helped each other prove dreams are achievable when you train and work hard enough to make it happen, while sharing the same passion and will to succed. Last month, when Ana won the Master Series tournament in Indian Wells, Jelena talked what she needs to improve in her game (even though she was already World #3), Ana took a step forward, now Jelena feels it's on her to keep up.

At the following Masters Series tournament in Miami, Jelena reached the Final and Ana talked about what she needs to work on to win the Grand Slam. Them being at WTA #2 and #3 position means a step away from #1 position, no satisfaction with the second best or joy in the thrill of Top 10 fame, they created winning mantality parallel.

I hope Alize will have, or already has, the team and atmosphere built around her for her ambitions to be nothing less than those of a champion. I apologize to Alize for not knowing she missed Indian Wells with a wrist tendonitis injury (as later announced on the WTA Official website). I thought she took time to rest, for herself as an 18 year old.

Alize is a highly polite, positively modest, well-mannered young lady, I got the impression her family is not the one who would preasure Alize to make it in the sports, but motivate her to invest her time and will in things like education even at the cost of her tennis career suffering...

..to take time for a normal psychological development as an average 18 year old, not to run like a machine from tournament to tournament, continent to continent, hotel to hotel, city to city...

.. like top-pro tennis player needs, a gladiator tougher than all the rest, live life of constant training, sacrifizes from personal life, for the chance to be the champion to whom children admire, crowds come to stadiums, opponents feel honored to play against. So one day no one forgots you as a sports legend.

Breaking career records once in a month or two is not fast enough for Alize, some success may be too small, she needs to strive to the highest goal at each tournament against every player and not live in the glory of reaching beyond the Round 3, whether it's Tier III, II, I or Grand Slam, or WTA Top 40.

Maria Sharapova was World #1 at Alize's age, time proves there are many ITF young prospects but not all of them reach WTA Top 10. Inn France Rezai, Monfiels... were predicted a great future but their line of success saturated before becomings seeded players at Grand Slams.

Champion in one is there from the beginning, it's not something one figures out after a surprising year in its 20ies. Alize path of success oughts to be a straight line to the #1 position, not stairways with ups and flat spaces. Alize has what it takes, the polite girl she is needs her gladitor side to become a champion.

Due to a number of reasons, I take a pause in writing blog. I hope for Alize to fulfill her dreams wherever they take her, to World #1 or simply to life enjoyment on the WTA Tour and in personal life.

Alize After A Week To Remember In Amelia Island

2008-04-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Alize lost in career first Tier II Semifinal against Dominika Cibulkova in an exciting 3 sets match, 2:6 6:2 4:6, on Sunday April 12th. The match was a really long one played under the hot Florida Sun, eventually Alize seemed physically too exhausted after a long week and playing on the heat.

At the end of the 3rd set, Alize took every moment between the points to catch a breath of fresh air, after Alize's unsuccessful drop shot attempt in 10th game, the match was over.

Alize, Alize's mom and coach attending the match, her fans watching it in front of the TV screens have all the reasons to file Alize's last week as highly successful. Alize achieved a news career high when Amelia Island results were added and is now WTA World #40, a great 8 places improvement from previous career best ranking.

On the road of success, today, Tuesday April 15th, Alize won over Michaella Krajicek in 3 sets, 6:3 3:6 6:4, in first round of Charleston Tier I tournament played this week on clay surface. Alize will play in Round 2 against Sara Eranni who is #23 places lower ranked and Alize has good chances to make it to the career first Tier I Round 3.

Eurosport did not broadcast Alize's Semifinal match against Dominika even though it was announced. By the time I found the match live on 'True Sport 3' TV channel on the internet, 3rd set was already underway.

I took digital camera to record the screen (later I found there's a buttom in Soapcast that can do it automatically:) and made ultimate amateur videos (with low resolution picture of True Sports 3 through Soapcast, shaky camera as I held it in the air, memory card being full 5 seconds right after the match point:) so I'll better pass uploading it.

With the best wishes to Alize at Charleston, this post will be followed with 'What it takes to be a champion' post I promised to write some time ago.

Amelia Island: Alize Cornet In Career First Tier II Semifinal

2008-04-12T11:01:00.001-07:00

Alize Cornet won against Virginie Razzano in two sets, 6:4 6:2. Alize will play in career first Tier II Semifinal (previous best WTA results not including Grand Slams was Acapulco Tier III Final back in February).

This is how the match went: First 3 games I passed searching for the match on Eurosport as announced but for some reason they broadcasted swimming with no explanation why there is no Amelia Island Quarterfinal match.

1st set started with Virginie winning service game, Alize won her service game, againt Virginie won hers for 1:2 for Virginie...
1:3 Alize's service game, 0:40, second serve, Virginie made a break
1:4 Virginie serve, 15:40, Alize won a break
2:4 Alize won service game with 0
3:4 Alize led 0:40, 30:40, and won a break
4:4 Alize's serve, 30:15, 40:15, won
5:4 Virginie's serve, 40:0, 40:15, alize won a break
6:4 Alize serve, 15:0, 15:15, 30:15, 30:30, 40:30, Alize won game/set

2nd serve, Virginie serves:
1:0 Alize won break with 0
2:0 30:15, 30:30, 40:30, second serve, Alize service game
2:1 Virginie serves, 0:15, 15:30, 30:30, Virginie won
3:1 Alize's serve, 40:15, second serve, 40:30, second serve, Alize won
3:2 I believe Virginie led 40:15 and used first game point but I'm not sure as I was writting email sorry:)
4:2 Alize serve 40:15, advantage Alize, second serve, deuce, Alize won service game
5:2 Virginie serves, 30:15, second serve, 40:15, Alize won
6:2, 15:30, ace for 30:0, 30:30, double fault Alize za 30:40, advantage Alize, second serve, deuce, match point #2 and Alize is the best WTA tennis player there is :)

Alize will play today, Saturday April 12th, against Dominika Cibulkova who won against Amelie Mauresmo in 2 sets, 6:1, 7:6(6). Dominika in brief: born May 1989 (7 month older than Alize) in Slovakia, height: 161cm (12 shorter than Alize), weight: 55 (5kg lighter than Alize), currently in Sinles World #34, #23 in Race, in Doubles #461, career high in Singles #34 on April 7th 2008.

Dominika's recent results include: Miami R32 where she won against T. Tanasunarg (World #84), F. Schiavone (World #22) and lost to Elena Dementieva (World #11) in 3 sets, in Indian Wells reached R32 after a win against S. Arvidson (World #65) and lose to S. Kuznetsova (World #3).

Dominika reached Quarterfinals of Doha in March after beating Lucie Safarova (World #39), Patty Schnyder (World #12), Venus Williams (World #7) and lose to Agnieszka Radwanska (World #20) in 3 sets. Lost in Antwerpen R32 against Na Li (World #33), in Paris R32 against Marion Bartoli (World #9). At Australian Open lost to Flavia Penneta (World #34) in 3 sets. Reached R32 in Sydney and Quarterfinals at Gold Coast, entered the year of 2008 at #51 position.

Dominika is in a great form, like Alize she is becoming a new star on WTA tour going fast forward toward the Top 20. Alize and Dominika never played against each other. The match will be a battle of two young and highly talented players fighting for their career first Tier II Final.

It's been great seeing Alize on front page of WTA official website today along with the names of other Amelia Island Semifinalist: Maria Sharapova (Former World #1), Lindsay Davenport (Former World #1) and Dominika Cibulkova (who won in the Quarterfinals against Amelie Mauresmo Former World #1).

It's unknow whether Eurosport will broadcast Alize's match, it's not in Eurosport and Eurosport 2 schedules on their official website. Maybe they will surprise us just like yesterday when they announced Alize's match will be broadcasted but it was not to be

During this week at Amelia Island, Alize made a great step towards Top 40. Alize fans knew Alize will be World #1 one day, at the times of her success like these it becomes more clearer for everyone that Alize is the future World #1 :)

In the first Semifinal Lindsay Davenport withdrew due to injury and Maria Sharapova will play in the Final. Alize's match will start.. ups Alize's match seems to have already started with the first Semifinal cancelled...

Amelia Island: Winning Is Easy When Your Name Is Alize Cornet

2008-04-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

Alize Cornet won in 1/8 of Amelia Island against Elena Vesnina in 2 sets, 6:1 7:5. If Tier II Quarterfinal is a better achievement than Tier III Final, then (not including Grand Slams), Alize has achieved career's biggest success on WTA tour after win over Elena.

This is how the match went by the number: Alize started with a stellar performance, I sat back and didn't make notes of the points in what seemed to be Alize's convincing match win, 1st set Alize won easily 6:1.

2nd set started with Alize winning her service game and Elena hers for 1:1 in games, in 3rd game Alize lost service game after double fault for 1:2 and I did start making notes.

2:2 Elena served, 0:15, 15:15, second serve, 15:30, double fault, 30:30, 30:40, Alize won
2:3 Alize lost service game again after 0:30, 0:40, 0:50
3:3 Elena's serve, 0:40, second serve, 15:40, double fault #5, 40:40, advantage Alize, Alize makes a break
4:3, 30:0 after ace #3 for Alize, Alize won
4:4 Elena's serve, 0:15, double fault #6 for 15:15,30:15, 30:30, second serve and 40:30, deuce, advantage Alize, deuce, ace for Elena's advantage, Elena won
5:4 Alize's serves, 30:0, 30:15, second serve and 30:30, 40:30, deuce, alize won
5:5 0:15, 15:15, 30:30, 30:40, 40:40, advantage
6:5 15:15, 15:30, second serve and 30:30, ace #4 for alize,
7:5 Elena served, 30:0, 40:0, second serve, 40:15, second serve and 30:40, second serve, Alize uses #3 match point.

Not to be ungrateful to Alize, but win over Elena was at some extent expected, Alize was a slight favorite before the match against Elena, this is surely something to be noted, Alize was a slight favorite in a Tier II event against a player better ranked than her.

It's Alize's favorite clay season and everyone expect and predict her doing well. As a matter of fact, Alize is given the equal chance for a win in the upcoming Quarterfinal match against World #27. In all, everyone expect Alize to show plays of a Top 30 player and to see Alize be a Top 30 player before the end of the clay season.

World #27 in the upcoming Quarterfinal match against Alize is Virginie Razzano. Here are brief facts about Virginie: 24 years old from France, turned pro in 1999 (when Alize was 9 years old), she is the same height as Alize and +4kg in weight.

Virginie is currently in Singles World #27, in Race #34, in Doubles #867, with a career high in Singles at #24 in February 2008, in Doubles at #82 in February 2001. Virginie reached Round 3 of Australian Open 2008.

At tournaments prior to Amelia Island, Virginie lost in first match (R64) at Miami Open against Ashley Harkleroad (World #60) in 2 sets, 4:6 4:6, in Indian Wells lost in first match (R64) against Evgeniya Rodina (World #121) in 3 sets, 0:6 7:6(2) 2:6, at Doha lost in R32 against Shahar Peer (World #17), at Paris lost in Quarterfinals against Marion Bartoli (World #9), at Australian Open lost against Jelena Jankovic (World #4), at Sydney (R16) against Ana Ivanovic (World #4), at Gold Coast (R32) against Dominika Cibulkova.

Through the year of 2008, Virginie made averagely good but not great results, it seemed 2007 was the year of her best tennis when she finished within the Top 50 (at #28) for the first time in her career, Virginie on North American Tour seem to be out of form losing in first matches in Indian Wells and Miami against players that are out of Top 50.

According to the results in 2007, Virginie does not produce best results on clay surface where Alize is strongest at. In two previous head-to-head matches, Virginie won them both, in 2004 in R32 at Saint Raphael (hard surface) 6:1 6:3 and at Paris (carpet) in February 2008 in R16 6:4 7:5.

Even with Virginie not producing results equal to her 2007 year and being out of form lately, the match will be really though for Alize with Virginie being highly experienced and defending her French #4 female tennis player behind French Top 3 female tennis players who are in the WTA Top 20.

Alize is the youngest of 3 young French WTA prospects, along with Pauline Permentier (World #48) and Aravane Rezai (World #50, Alize is World #49), trying to break free in the Top 30 and be French WTA #4 ranked player.

The match between Alize and Virginie will be the 'Battle for France', where Alize is to prove she is one of Top 5 French players, along with M. Bartoli (World #11), T. Golovin (#18), A. Mauresmo (#24) and Virginie at #27, a great company to be in.

The match will be more than just a Tier II Quarterfinal match, it will be a match where Alize proves herself as a Top 5 French player, proves she can win against WTA Top 30 players, just like all recent Alize's matches are, constant provement and improvement.

Great great news is that the match Alize - Virginie will be televised on Eurosport and ESPN for everyone's, especially Alize fans', enjoyment with not having too many matches to see Alize live on TV in previous 3 months of the season.

Alize's fans will be there with their hearts and souls through TV screens cheering for Alize's biggest success on Tier events and hopefully a place in the Tier II Semifinal, Alize's career first. The match will start at 11am local time (EDT, 5pm Central European Time).

Music: Alize Cornet Fan Blog Hymn

2008-04-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

Amelia Island: Alize Island

2008-04-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

Alize Cornet has won against Sybille Bammer in 2 convincing sets, 6:1 6:3. Alize won against the highest ranked player in her career with Sybille being World #23, the next on target is win against a Top 20 player. This is how the result went:

1st set:
1:0 Sybille on serve, Alize uses first break point
2:0 Alize led 40:30, Alize's second serve, won
2:1 Sybille won service game with 0
3:1 Sybille had break point, Alize won the next 3 points and game
4:1 Alize had break point, Sybille advantage, duece, Sybille advantage, deuce, Alize won
5:1 Alize's service game, 0:30 Sybille, 15:40, Alize won all points and game
6:1 30:30 Alize won a break

2nd Set:
1:0 Alize on serve, Alize wins game with 0
1:1 30-30, Sybille ace for 40:30, deuce, Alize advantage, Sybille advantage,
2:1 Alize wins service game routinely
3:1 Alize wins a break game routinely
4:1 Alize leads 40:15, it feels good being Alize's fan
4:2 sybille service game with 0
5:2 Alize wins a game routinely again and again :)
5:3 30-0 for Sybille, 30:40 #1 match point for Alize, deuce, match point #2, deuce, advantage Sybille, match point #3, deuce, Sybille won
6:3 Alize's service game, 40:15, Alize uses match point #4 :)

To be noted, prior to the match beginning, Alize was recognized as a slight favorite for a win against World #23, it's significant for Alize's best performances on WTA tour to be expected by everyone now that the clay season has started.

The only way is up for Alize and there's no time for celebration after the win over World #23 player (and Alize's new career highest ranking in next Monday's WTA rankings) as Alize needs to progress fast forward with Roland Gaross coming.

Alize gained great momentum of play in Amelia Island ahead of Round 3 match tomorrow against Elena Vesnina. Here is Elena in brief: 21 year old from Ukraine, 3cm taller than Alize with 60kg in weight just like Alize.

Elena is currently in Singles World #45, #42 in Race, in Doubles at #35, with career highest ranking in Singles at #42 in January 2007, in Doubles at #22 in May 2007. Elena reached Round 3 at this year's Australian Open where she lost against Maria Sharapova in 2 sets, 6:3 6:0.

Elena came to Amelia Island after good play in Miami where she reached R16 after wins against Elena Likhovteva (World #124)in 2 sets, Agnes Szavay (World #18) in 3 sets, Ashley Hakleroad (World #60) in 3 sets, eventually losing to Justine Henan in 2 sets, 6:2 6:2.

Prior to Miami, Elena lost in R64 in Indian Wells against Marion Bartoli (World #10) in 2 sets, lost in Dubai in R64 against Jie Zheng (World #226) in 3 sets, in Doha against Ayumi Morita (World #134) in 2 sets.

At Amelia Island 2008, Elena won in Round 1 against Milagros Sequera (World #97) in two sets, 7:6 6:0, in Round 2 against Patty Schnyder (World #12) after 98 minutes in 3 sets, 6:2 2:6 6:2.

Important thing is that Elena is more of a Doubles player where she is more successful, at Amelia Island she plays Dubles with Victoria Azarenka and it may distract her a bit from the Singles match. Elena says her favorite surfaces are clay and hard. Elena and Alize never played against each other.

The winner of the match will have the chance to play against the winner of Virginie Razzano (#13 seed) and Olga Govortsova. Alize have good chances for a win on her favorite surface against a player that is close to her rankings, plus Elena plays in Doubles at Amelia Island as well.

There wouldn't be nothing more pleasing than seeing Alize play in top form on TV but Eurosport did not broadcast matches from Round 1 and 2 at Amelia Island, still Eurosport is on 'on TV' page of Amelia Island tournament official web-site and it's likely that it will broadcast Quarterfinals/Semifinals/Final starting from Friday.

Amelia Island tournament official web-site writes that "ESPN/ESPN2 will domestically (on American market) televise" the matches but Round 1 and 2 matches were not in the ESPN/ESPN2 TV schedules.

Maybe ESPN will start televising Amelia Island from the Quarterfinals and hopefully we will see Alize playing live on TV then :) Alize win tomorrow, Thursday April 10, and give us the chance to see you on TV on Friday :)

Amelia Island: Alize Cornet Is Back With A Vengeance :)

2008-04-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Alize Cornet won in Round 1 of Amelia Island tournament today, Monday April 07, against Michaella Krajicek in two convincing sets, 6:1 6:2. It's been over a month (last time in February) since Alize won a match, it was a harsh period for Alize's fans and Caroline Wozniacki doing tremendeously well made it no easier.

It's that little unusual saying Alize 'demolished' or 'brushed off' someone considering Alize's neat appearance but she did just that in a match against Michaella.

Michaella, World #36 at #211 in Race, had a disasterous year up to now, losing in Round 1s of 4 tournaments she participated in, including last two in Indian Wells and Miami against Galina Voskoboeva World #113 and Marina Erakovic World #101 respectively.

For Alize this was a must win match at the start of Alize's favorite clay season after the month of March where Alize did not participated in the first Tier I event and lost in the second one in Round 1.

Alize will now play against Sybille Bummer who is #9 seed, the only reason why I won't call Sybille a veteran is because she's my age :) Anyhow, Sybille is 27 year old, WTA pro from 1997, she is +1cm and +3kg in compare to Alize.

Sybille is World #23, #22 in Race, with a career high #19 in December 2007, Sybille is one of two moms in WTA's Top 50 (along with Lindsay Davenport; Kim Clijsters just got a baby boy, Vera Dushevina is pregnant..)

Sybille won in Round 1 match against Wild Card Anna Orlik from Belaruss in two sets, 6:3 7:6(2). Prior to Amelia Island, Sybille lost in Miami in Round 32 against World #13 Dinara Safina 1:2, in Indian Wells against World #67 Yung-Jan Chan 0:2, in Bangalore in Round 16 against World #86 Anastasia Radionova...

Sybille reached R64 at Australian Open where she lost against #158 Su-Wei Hsieh, this year's high-light presents February's Doha Quarterfinal where she lost against Vera Zvonareva #27 after beating Svetlana Kuznetsova World #2 in previous round, one of 2 Top 40 players she won against this year.

On the way to the Amelia Island Final, Alize could play against #2 seed Anna Chakvetadze, #4 seed Marion Bartoli, #5 Patty Schnyder... Alize's match against Sybille is on schedule on Wednesday, April 09.

Brief facts about Amelia Island tournament: place Amelia Island, Florida, USA, from April 07-13, clay surface, Tier II event, prize money - $600.000, last year's winner Tatiana Golovin winning against Nadia Petrova, this year's #1 seed is Maria Sharapova (current World #5).

On this morning's WTA rankings, Alize kept #49 position, now with 584 points, ualine Parmentier is at #48 with 587 points while Aravane Rezai is at #50 with 561 points, as for the players close to Alize's age, Tamira Paszek is at #44 with 640 points, Caroline Wozniacki at #39 with 706 points, Victoria Azarenka at #28.

I cheer for Alize with all my heart to win tomorrow's Round 2 match at Amelia Island so I can entitle the next post 'Alize Island', help me out with the post title Alize :)

Miami Open: Alize Cornet Lost In First Match

2008-03-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

Alize lost in first match (Round 1) against Tamira Paszek in 3 sets, 1:6 6:2 3:6. With Anna Chakvetadze, World #6, awaiting the winner in Round 2, it was more of a match where 2 young WTA talents battled to prove who is the better one and Tamira won. If the scoreline matters anything, here is how it went:

1st set:
0:1 Alize lost service game
0:2 Tamira won service game
0:3 Alize lost service game again (in first 2 service games Alize made 2 aces)
1:3 Alize made a break
1:4 Alize lost service game (3rd in a row)
1:5 Tamira service game, 0:40, double fault, 15:40, Tamira won
1:6 Alize lost service game with no points won

2nd set:
0:1 Tamira served and won the game without lossing a point
1:1 Alize won service game without lossing a point as well
2:1 Alize made a break after 40-0 lead, 40-15, Tamira's second serve, 40-30, 40-40, second serve, advantage Alize, Alize won
3:1 Alize won service game
3:2 Tamira leads 40-30, 40-40, advantage Tamira (or this happened in 4th game!? sorry:)
4:2 Alize service game, 30-30, 40-30 Alize, 40-40
5:2 Alize made a break after leading 30:15, 40:15, 40:30
6:2 Alize won service game, 40:30, 40:40, advantage Alize, second serve, won

3rd set:
1:0 Alize made a break, 40:40, advantage
1:1 Alize lost service game with 0 (I think with 0 but not sure!? sorry again:)
2:1 Alize made a break after leading 40:15
2:2 Alize lost service game, losing 0:30 15:40
2:3 Tamira served, led 15:30, 15:40, second serve, double fault, 30:40, 40:40, Tamira won
2:4 Alize lost service game after 15:15, made service double fault 15:30, 30:30, 30:40, Tamira won
2:5 Tamira won service game after 15:0 for Alize, 15:15, second serve, 30:15, second serve, 30:30, second serve, 40:30 for Alize, 40:40, advantage Alize, 40:40, advantage Tamira, 40:40, advantage Tamira, Tamira won
3:5 Alize won service game, 0:15, 15:15, 15:30, 30:30, ace for 40:30, won
3:6 Tamira won service game, 0:15, 15:15, 15:30, 15:40, 30:40, won

I must be honest and apologize to all Alize's fans, these are the text messages (I hardly ever answer the calls on my mobile phone) with a professional 'someone' on the day of the match between Alize and Tamira asking me about opinion on the outcome of the match:

Professional 'someone': 'Does your Cornet have a chance against Paszek?'

Me: 'Tough match-up, Cornet skipped Indian Wells to be best prepared for Indian Wells and the season played on her favorite surface clay, nonetheless Paszek is a 'monster', she's 17 years old, 11 months younger than Cornet, is better ranked, loses only against top players, in Sydney won against Kirilenko, lost to Devenport, at Australian Open lost to Jankovic, in Doha against Schnyder, in Indian Wells retired due to virus that bothers her since Doha and suffers from exhaustion'

Professional 'someone': 'Your prediction?'

Me: 'If Paszek is 100% fit, Paszek. Interview after withdrawal from Indian Wells: it didn't make sense, I didn't have strength in my legs, today I played with only 30% of strength'.

Once again I apologize for text messages, I'm proud I was in opportunity to promote 'Alize, future WTA #1' line when Alize was WTA World #50+ player, if there isn't Alize's Fan blog, I would not maintain my other blogs (about Ana Ivanovic, WTA World #2, Jelena Jankovic #3, and Novak Djokovic ATP #3).

Alize will be next on court at Amelia Island played on clay (from April 14th) which is more than 2 weeks away and gives plenty of time for analyses, I'll finish 'Is Alize progressing fast enough' post with 'What it takes to become a champion' post I promised to write.

In the news around Miami Open: after the win against Alize, Tamira lost in Round 2 against Anna (Chakvetadze) in 2 sets, 6:3 6:2. Caroline Wozniacki (player that is often compared with Alize) has continued powerful perfomances from Indian Wells and achieved tremendeous results up to now in Miami, winning in Round 1 against T. Pironkova 2:0, Round 2 against M. Bartoli (World #10) 2:0, today in Round 3 against Katarina Srebotnik (World #24) in 3 sets, 2:6 6:3 6:1, and achieved the biggest success of her WTA career.

Miami Open: Round 1 Milestone Called Tamira Paszek

2008-03-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

Alize Cornet will play against Tamira Paszek from Austria in Round 1 of Miami Open. After not seeing Alize in play for so long ago, it feels utmost anxious to see who is Alize's opponent in a match that is one of the milestones of her way to become the champion. Alize can't afford to lose this match in Tier I tournament on her favorite surface after not best results in the last two months.

A win in Round 1 will not bring to Alize much points nor give much prospects of winning even more points with World #6 Anna Chakvetadze awaiting her in Round 2, but the loss can be devostating on mental plan and effect Alize's performance in continuation of the seasons when she needs self-esteem to reach higher, play better, break personal record after record on the way to Top 35ish before Roland Gaross.

Tamira Paszek, player behind the name: born 6. December 1990 (!?), height: 165cm, weight 60kg, turned pro in October 2005, ranked #42 (Alize #49) in Singles, #86 (Alize #43) in Race with the career high at #35 (Alize #48) in July 2007, ranked #850 in Doubles (Alize #319).

Tamira finished the year of 2005 at #861 (Alize #/), 2005 at #365 (Alize #308), 2006 at #181 (Alize #189), 2007 at #41 (Alize #55). In 2007 made it to Round 2s of Australian Open (Alize Round 1) and Roland Gaross (Alize Round 1) and Round 4s of Wimbledon (Alize Round 2) and US Open (Alize Round 3), at Australian Open 2008 Round 1 (Alize Round 1).

In 2005, Tamira won first and only career ITF Circuit title in Singles and Doubles (w/Ancic) at #25.000 ITF/Sofia Bulgaria, saw WTA tour main draw debut at Linz Austria where she reached Round 2 as Wild Card and become youngest player to win a WTA main draw match that season, debuted for Austrian Fed Cup team.

In 2006, Tamira won her first and up to now only WTA title at Portoroz Slovenia as Qualifier and became 7th youngest Singles titlist in WTA history, as World #259 was third lowest ranked Singles titlist in WTA history. Reached Round 2 in Istanbul and Round 1 in Linz.

In 2007, for the first time reached Top 100 and became youngest player in Top 280 of year-end rankings, wins at Grand Slams include beating players such as World #17 Golovin, #13 Dementieva and #12 Schyder, reached Round 3 in Birmingham and 5 times Round 2s. Reached World #35 position on July 9th while the next-youngest player in November's year-end rankings was #281 Pavlyuchenkova.

Tamira started 2008 reaching Semi-finals at Auckland, as #6 seed defeated #2 seed Kirilenko en route, later lost to eventual champion Devenport, lost in Round 1 at Australian Open against #3 seed Jankovic having led 4:1 in third set, lost in Round 1 at Doha against #9 seeds, reached Round 3 at Indian Wells when she retired in match against Dellacqua with GI illness.

In all, Tamira is almost a year (11 months) younger and higher ranked than Alize, is in great form and seems to lose only against Top 10 seeds. Alize should be targeting wins against Top 30 players but this match against unseeded Tamira in Round 1 will be a real challenge as well.

If Tamira wins in head-to-head match, it would prove her be a greater prospect than Alize as she already achieved much more in WTA Tour and Alize would be getting 'old' in the sense that her line of development progression is not heading high enough towards #1 or Top 5 positions.

Alize's win is a must after passing to particate in Indian Wells and losing in Round 1 in Bogota (a Tier III event played at the same time when Tier I even was played in Dubai), Miami is the biggest venue in between season's first two Grand Slams.

Win over Tamira needs to be a certain game for Alize, against Top 10 player Anna in Round 2 would be uncomparably tougher. Alize will be on court tomorrow, Thursday March 27th, all Alize's fans should be sure to watch one of the milestones of Alize's career.

Alize you need this victory in Round 1, it's the time to unleash the tennis monster that hinders inside of you behind the neat face fasade :)

Is Alize Progressing Fast Enough!?

2008-03-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

Alize Cornet remained on #49 position in this morning's (March 24th) WTA rankings, the same as in previous published 2 weeks ago before the Indian Wells Masters Series tournament. Indian Wells felt disappointing to watch without Alize taking part in 2 weeks of great tennis.

Alize took time to rest, moments for herself being only 18 years old and to be best prepare for her favorite clay surface that awaits WTA top players in Miami Open. With qualification rounds underway and main draw not being announced yet, this post will analyse how fast is Alize progressing for a champion prospect.

The meaning of Alize's first part of the season (in Fan Blog's opinion) after Australian Open in January was for Alize to be as good ranked as possible before May 26th when season's 2nd Grand Slam Roland Gaross starts on Alize's favorite clay surface in her home country.

Roland Gaross 2008 is where Alize has the highest chances to reach career best result in Grand Slams. Without good result in Roland Gaross to boost Alize up in the rankings, she will have hard times to reach Grand Slam Round 4s or higher as a not seeded player on grass and hard surfaces in UK and USA.

Reaching Roland Gaross Round 4 means some luck in the draws, being placed around World #40-50 position gives smaller chances of luck to avoid Top 10 players before Round 4 or Top 20 players before Round 3-2 or even in Round 1.

Alize's biggest success at Grand Slams is Round 3 of US Open last year. Ranked #59 earlier this year in Australian Open, Alize faced World #9 Daniela Hantuchova and suffered early exit in R64. In Roland Gaross 2007 Alize faced Venus Williams and lost in Round 1, but being ranked around #50 it's expected to face players like Daniela and Venus in early rounds.

Alize targets entering Top 40 or preferably close to #30 position for greater chances to avoid top seeds in early rounds of Roland Gaross. Alize targets Roland Gaross Round 4, everything else (in Fan Blog's opinion) will be failure for Alize's championship prospect, aged 17-19 is when future WTA champions develop by reaching Top 10.

2 months after Australian Open and 2 months before Roland Gaross, Alize has improved only 8 positions after participating in Tier III events in South America while Tier I events were played in Asia, where Alize made a great step back losing in Round 1 in Bogota that effected Alize's biggest WTA success Acapulco final not to progress much in the rankings, then Alize passed Tier I event in Indian Wells.

2 months before Roland Gaross, Alize is lacking behind, this part of her season is under tremendeous pressure (if she values herself like as champion prospect like Fan Blog does) to make up on lost and get inside the Top 40 that is at the moment 100 WTA points away.

Pressure comes at the start of Alize's favorite season, clay, ranked #49 will not help Alize avoid top seeded players in early rounds of Miami Open draws, and in big tournaments that follow.

At some of upcoming North American tournaments Alize did not competed in last season (as a junior playing ITF Circuit) and doesn't have WTA points, still with significant chances to face top seeded player it's to be seen how many of those new WTA points Alize is to win, then comes Fes at the end of April where Alize has WTA Quarterfinal points to defend. A lot of work to be done.

Alize will have to make up in April and May on missed in February and March. As a comparison to Alize, we will take Caroline Wozniacki (if Alize is to read this she would probably roll over her eyes on the choice but hey...:) who is 5 months younger than Alize and had similar junior career.

Caroline is current World #19 in Race, a huge accomplishemnt in the first 3 months of the season gathering 355 WTA points, while Alize is #43 in Race with 197 WTA points. In the last two weeks in Indian Wells where Alize did not participating in, Caroline performed increadable tennis, surely matured as a player after the wins (one in particular against World #29 Maria Kirilenko 6:2 6:0) reaching R16 of a Master Series tournament where she lost to World #3 and later Indian Wells finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Before that, Caroline played in Quarterfinals of Memphis where she lost to Lindsay Davenport, before that played in the Tier I Doha Quarterfinals en route winning over Marion Bartoli World #9 and Medina Garigues World #31 before losing to World #5 and later Doha title winner Maria Sharapova; during that time Alize lost in Round 1 of the Tier III event in Bogota against World #89 and reached the Final of Tier III of Acapulco after victories over lower ranked players.

Other than Caroline being 5 months younger and currently better ranked than Alize, taken in example, Maria Sharapova was WTA World #1 when 2 months older than Alize's current age (Alize is 18 years and 2 months at the moment, Maria was 18 years and 4 months when reaching World #1 position).

This analysis will be continued in the post 'What it takes to be a champion', another text (like all texts) of our support for Alize to unleash the tennis monster inside of her hidden behind the neat face and one day become World #1 :)

Alize Is Still Cornet

2008-03-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Alize withdrow from Indian Wells.. so no Alize at the Pacific Life Open, now what!? :) Alize decided to pass Tier I event played on hard surface in California to prepare for the following Key Biscayne in Miami (hard court), Amelia Island (clay) and Charleston (clay) all in the USA.

Similarly, Alize passed on participating in 2 Tier I events during February held in Dubai and Doha (both played on hard surface) so she would participate in Tier III Bogota and Acapulco played on clay surface.

Alize will not be in play before 24th of March, 3 weeks after Acapulco, and will likely be out of the Top 50 in Monday's new rankings (it's like that song ..there she goes again..). If of any consolation, World #1 Justine Henan also decided to pass Indian Wells and prepare for the following events, just like Alize.

Other than Alize's play, fans will miss on her info. Alize is still not frequently featured in the news like Top 20 players, Alize's Official Site gives a line of two of info every week or two and Alize stopped writting online diary a half of year ago.

In the lack of information, we speculated out of fun whether Alize fell in love in Acapulco (Alize calls Acapulco a paradise) or married in Las Vegas that is on the way to Indian Wells, and took time off from the WTA agenda.

I (Alize's SE highest ranked fan blog) begin to wish if my best friend is a person under the name 'Isabelle' that maintains Alize's OS, she has got Alize on speed dial and shares limited info, how Alize feels about her serve? what element of the game Alize is working on the most lately?...

Anyhow, it's the waiting time until March 24th when Key Biscayne starts and a few analyses blog posts in between. Good news is that the week and a half of 3 week pause already passed. Hope everyone will enjoy Tier I event in Indian Wells even if Alize does not participate.

Did Alize Cornet Get Married In Acapulco?

2008-03-11T03:53:00.000-07:00

First thing first, after reaching a career high #48 position on March 2nd, this week's WTA rankings see Alize down 1 position to #49. Alize didn't participate in any tournament last weeks, Chinese Zi Yan reached the Bangalore Final and is now at #43 from previous #54 position.

Alize gathered 599 points, the rankings around #41-61 positions can be shaky as there is only 166 points difference. Gisela Dulko at #48 is ahead by 19 points from Alize and #50 Pauline Permentier only 4 points behind Alize.

As for the post's title 'Did Alize Cornet get married in Acapulco!?', I needed to drow everyone's attention for someone to help me find Alize in the Indian Wells draws as I can't find her myself, she's not in the Qualifications draw nor in the main draw published in the last 24 hours.

Alize was last seen playing in Acapulco (and Las Vegas is on the way to Indian Wells!?:). This is Alize's highest ranked fan blog in the Search Engines and should be a source of information for other people, though 'editorial team' (me, myself and I) can't speak French for eventual local Nice info whether Alize is still Cornet :)

Facts: Alize calls Acapulco a paradise, she skipped big tournaments in the East to participate in the West, she's recently turned 18 and Mexico is full of romantic guitar players, guilty until proven innocent :)

Alize Cornet After A Week To Remember In Acapulco

2008-03-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

Alize Cornet did not break another career record to win the first WTA Title losing to Flavia Pennetta in the Final in three sets, 6:0 4:6 6:1. Alize had problems with the serve as in the Semi-Final match when she lost 10 serve points in a row, this time serve problems contributed to loss of 2 sets convincingly, 0:6 1:6.

Flavia was in top form, she is a specialist for plays on clay and has appeared in the last 5 Acapulco Finals (Title winner in 2005), all thisleft little room for Alize's success. 3 sets of match play time lasted 96 minutes.

Alize stayed Alize, polite and modest, this is what she said after the match: 'It's disappointing to lose today, I felt pretty far away from the victory. But I think Flavia deserved to win today. And this is such a nice tournament so I hope I can come back next year'.

And this is what Flavia had to say: 'I think I started the match very well, focusing really hard and not making many mistakes, just lots of winners. But in the second set I started thinking about the victory and got a little nervous. I sat down after the second set and thought about what I needed to do to take control again, and I just tried to focus like I did in the first set'.

And again Flavia: 'I love Acapulco. This is one of my favorite tournaments. I always play my best tennis here. I don't know what to say, I'm too happy'.

Flavia forget to mention what a great prospect Alize is but that's ok, she was too happy :) It's always a dissapointing when Alize losses and feels better taking a few days off before making analyses and avoid mourn, mope, bemoan, rue, repent...

Off to the happy tomorrow morning when the good news await, Alize's career highest ranking in the new WTA list :)

Acapulco: New WTA History Started On 29.2.2008

2008-03-01T03:23:00.000-08:00

Alize won a place in her first ever WTA Tour Final, again with style in 2 sets, 6:2 6:2. Alize won all her matches in Acapulco with 2:0, in previous 2 matches, 2 sets with 6:0, Alize's real stellar performance.

With not too many TV channels broadcasting Acapulco WTA matches, watching the numbers in 'live scores' is always an option for Alize fans, and who wanted to miss out the most important match of her WTA career up to now.

This is what the 'live scores' numbers said:
1st Set:
1 game - two break points for Alize, Alize made a break for 1:0 lead
2 game - 15:40 for Jill, Jill made it 1:1
2 game - 2 break points for Alize, several deuces, Alize made a break for 2:1 lead
4 game - Alize leads 40:15, deuce, Alize won serve game for 3:1 lead
5 game - Alize won another break game for 4:1 lead
6 game - Alize's good serve game for 5:1
7 game - 40:15 for Alize, Jill's second serve, Alize leads 5:2
8 game - 40:15 for Alize, Alize won the first set 6:2
2nd Set:
1 game - Alize leads 40:15 with 2 break points, used first for 1:0 lead
2 game - Jill leads 40:0, used first break point, 1:1
3 game - Alize leads 40:15, Alize used the first break point for 2:1 lead
4 game - Jill leads 40:0, used first break point, 2:2
5 game - Alize leads 40:15, used 2nd break point for 3:2 lead
6 game - Alize losing 0:30 (10th straight loss of points on her serve), good serves and Alize won the next 4 points for 4:2 lead
7 game - Jill leads 40:30, deuce, advantage Alize, Alize wins a break for 5:2
8 game - countdown to new WTA history, 0:15, 15:15, 30:15, 40:15, second serve, 40:30, second serve, Alize won the game, set, match 6:2 6:2 and the new Tennis Super Star is born :)

In the end, Alize's talent prevailed Jill's experience, Alize played classy Tennis and could have won the second set 6:0 but lost first 8 points on her serve. Alize shows best plays on clay surface, Roland Gaross watch out.

Alize, Acapulco #2 seed, will play against Flavia Pennetta, #1 seed, in the Final. Flavia won against Kaia Kanepa from Estonia in two sets, 6:4 6:2, in the second Semi-Final match on schedule.

Flavia's record in first 3 matches in Acapulco is impressive like Alize's, 2:0 in sets against E. Bychkova in Round 1, J. Schruff in Round 2, E. Gallovits in the Quarter-Finals.

Like Alize, Flavia saw a suprising early exit in Round 1 last week in Bogota. A week prior to Bogota, two weeks ago, Flavia won the title in Vina Del Mar in Chile against K. Zakopalova, the same player Alize won against in Paris in early February.

Flavia's data: born: 1982, height: 1.72m, weight: 58kg, from: Italy, turned pro: in 2000, currently in Singles: #30, in Race #13, career high in Singles: 16 in January 2006, currently in Doubles at #37, career high in Doubles: #14 in July 2006, reached 2nd Round in Australian Open 2008.

The Final is scheduled to start 6.30pm local time. Alize improved 3 personal records in Acapulco alredy: first WTA Tour Semi-Final, Final, and will achieve new career highest WTA ranking on Monday when points from Acapulco are added.

In previous matches in Acapulco, Alize played under preasure of a must win against lower ranked players, especially after not so good performance in Bogota. There will be no such presure on Alize in the Final against better ranked Flavia.

For Alize fans, it was great to see her on home-page of WTA Tour official web-site along the Top players also tp win a place in Saturday matches, players like Kuznetsova, World #2, playing today in Dubai Final, Linsey Devenport, former Champion, in Memphis Final, and our Alize, future World #1, in Acapulco Final.

If no TV stations are found to broadcast the match, for true Alize fans, it's another late night watching the 'live scores' numbers hopefully go up for Alize in her first WTA Final, so one day you could say: 'I was there to cheer for Alize awaken at late nights in the early days of her breakthrough into the very Top of WTA Tour'.

Video: Alize Cornet In Play, February 2008

2008-03-01T03:15:00.000-08:00

Acapulco: Alize Cornet First WTA Semi-Final

2008-02-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

Alize has won a place in her career first WTA Semi-Final against Mariya Kryttseva in 2 sets, 6:4 6:0. This is the second match in a row where Alize won a set with 6:0. Other than wins at a Tier III event, convincing wins are additional boost for plays in the following Tier I and II events.

Alize will now play against Jill Craybas from the USA, current World #78, #42 in Race, with career high in Singles #39 in April 2006, currently in Doubles at #77, career high in Doubles #51 in January 2005.

Jill is 1.60m high, weights 56kg, a veteran on WTA Tour with 12 years of pro experience. Her Acapulco results up to now: wins over R. De Los Rios 2:0, K. Zakopalova 2:1, I. Benesova 2:0. Like Alize, saw early exit in Round 1 in Bogota (against Y. Meusburger 0:2). Trivia: Alize is 16 years younger than Jill.

Alize is a light favorite for win prior to the Semi-final match start, the same is Pennetta, #1 seed, in her Semi-Final match. 28th of February will stay remembered as a highlight in Alize's 2008 season and nothing more.

With many great achievements this month, Fed Cup debut for France, career high ranking, there is no stopping for a young player, Alize needs to constantly improve and accomplish new career records in order to progress up the rankings.

Win in the Quarter-Final will not bring too many points in the WTA Singles rankings to Alize as she defended last year's Quarter-final. To reach the Acapulco Final, Alize would be close to Top 40 for the first time in her career.

It's first Tier III Semi-Final down, next on the targert a Tier III Final, Tier II Semi-Final, Final, Tier I... Grand Slams... a lot of work to be done, no time for sweet taste of victories.

Alize Cornet Is Acapulco Heat

2008-02-28T12:33:00.000-08:00

Alize Cornet won in Round 2 in Acapulco, plus Alize won in style 6:2 6:0, even thought the win came against a Wild Card (Melissa Torres from Mexico, current World #229), it's a way to go on the WTA Tour for Alize, convincing victory and a feeling to get used to.

There's no room for grumpyness, Alize win came after yesterday's blog when we complained about Alize not winning in style in early Rounds (any room for silly speculations that Alize reads her Fan Blog!?:), it's all satisfaction today.

Alize will now play against Mariya Koryttseva for a Semi-Final appearance. This will be more than an interesting match up with Mariya close to Alize in the rankings, World #68, #45 in Race, while Alize is World #52, #64 in Race.

As well, both players accomplished career high rankings in February so they are in great form, Mariya currently playing her best tennis ever with career highest WTA ranking achieved this Monday. After good plays in Acapulco, Mariya will probably post her new career high.

In all, this is where Alize will prove her being #2 seed in Acapulco and a slight favorite to win over a lower ranked player regardless in what form that player is, this is where Alize proves herself to be a Top 50 player.

A win would not bring too much points for progress in the WTA rankings as Alize defended Acapulco Quarterfinal points from last year, but Alize will fight for her biggest success on WTA Tour, a Semi-final appearance.

More data about Mariya, born: May 1985, height: 1.68m, weight: 54kg, country: Ukraine, career high Doubles: #56 in April 2006, currently at #57 in Doubles, biggest success in 2008: Australian Open 2nd Round, win-loss record in 2008: 7-2, Acapulco 2008 results: Round 1 win against C. Pin 2:1, Round 2 win against S. Errani 2:0.

Unfortunately there are not too many TV stations broadcasting Acapulco WTA tournament, at least not in Europe, still dedicated Alize fans may stay wake after midnight CET and watch the 'live scores' numbers go up for our Alize.

Acapulco: Alize Cornet Won In Round 1 In Two Sets, Alize's Fans Still A Bit Grumpy

2008-02-27T01:14:00.000-08:00

Alize Cornet Won - a great looking line. Alize Cornet Won In Two Sets - even better. But She Trailed 1:3 In First Set - hopefully not too grumpy. Alize won against Jelena Kostanic (Croatia), current World #147, in 2 sets 7:5 6:3. The match was scheduled to start at around 3.45pm local time and it was not to be around 3 hours later.

Alize gave away early break to eventually win 6 and lose 2 games and win 1st set. After an early break in the 2nd set, Alize's lead was never in doubt. In all it looked good, though with respect to all players, a potential like Alize with 40 steps more to make to the Top 10 can't afford to give herself and her fans a scare and not win convincingly in Round 1 at Tier III Tournaments, especially after last week's early exit in Bogota.

We want to see Alize's powerplay, see her crashing opponents and win games with 6:1 or 6:2, not only 1 break difference, Sharapova was World #1 at the age of 18, we, Alize's fans, feel Alize in the Top 10 by the age of 19 is achievable and first steps toward that goal are convincing, stable wins in Rounds 1.

Alize will play in Round 2 against Melissa Torres, a Wild Card from Mexico, who won over Maria Elena Camerin from Italy in 3 sets 3:6 7:5 7:5. Melissa is 24 years old and curently World #229, with a career high World #209 in November 2002. In the possible Quarter-finals, Alize will play against the winner of Sara Errani - Mariya Koryttseva match.

Until the next blog hopefully to be named 'Alize Cornet Is Acapulco Heat' about Alize ahead of her new Acapulco Quarterfinals.

WTA Rankings: Alize Cornet #52, Acapulco This Week

2008-02-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

Alize is sadly out of Top 50 at #52 with 542 points from previous #49 position after a step back in Bogota in regards to last year. Alize will play this week in Acapulco where she defends 35 Quarter-final points from last year.

To remind us, in Alize won in Round 1 against Iveta Benesova from 7:6(2) 4:6 6:3, in Round 2 against S. Bremond #4 seed 7:6(3) 6:2, before losing to F. Penneta #5 seed in two sets 7:5 6:4.

Acapulco is similar event to last week's Bogota, both Tier III, $180.000 prize money, with Alize #2 seed and Pennetta #1 seed. Alize will play in Round 1 against Jelena Kostanic from Croatia, and possible opponents in Round 2 would be Mariya Koryttseva (Ukraine) and Camille Pin (France).

Brief facts about Abierto Mexiacno TELCEL presented by HSBC - Place: Acapulco (Mexico), Date: February 25th - March 1st 2008, Tier III, Prize Money: $180.000. Surface: Red Clay/Outdoors, last year's winner: Emilie Loit (France) winning over Flavia Pennetta (Italy) 7:6(0) 6:4.

Alize Cornet After A Week To Forget In Copa Colsanitas

2008-02-24T13:11:00.000-08:00

Alize lost in first round of Copa Colsanitas in Bogota. For a fan blog, at the beginning of the week I was ready to report on Alize's plays as the days of the week progress, though Alize lost in Round 1 and it was all over on the very first day, Monday. The loss was shocking and I hushed, it needed me 6 days to be able to write again.

How should a fan blog feel when the future World #1 currently at #49 loses on her first day of the tournament in Round 1? Ok, I have a confession to make, for a moment I questioned Alize's Champion prospects, but that question lasted only for a nick of time, I tried not to blog about it this week and thought on other things.

Even now, the burden of regrets prevails the spirit to lalk bout Alize's Monday in Copa Colsanitas, but... Alize had open road to make it to the Final by winning over lower ranked players. While most Top 50 players headed to the East to Doha and Dubai, Alize was one of the selten robins to fly to the West.

Alize travelled all the way to South America where she was to be Bogota's Copa Colsanitas #2 seed and in good opportunity to earn valuable WTA points, as much as 140 points for the Tournament winner. Bogota came after Alize's strong performance in Pariz a week earlier and career high WTA rankings on the first day of Copa Colsanitas.

Everything looked perfect for Alize, good stretch in Bogota against lower ranked players (Alize still does not have the routine to win against Top 30 players) for a new career high before Acapulco where she defends a lot of point from last year, then North American and European Tournaments, all in preparation for Roland Gaross and gathering as many points as possible for a better place in the main draw.

Though, Alize lost when no one saw it coming, in first match in Round 1. As Alize reached Round 2 last year in Bogota, she made a step back and will now lose some points in the WTA Championship and may not be in the Top 50 tomorrow morning in the new WTA rankings, a different situation entering Abierto Mexicano than what it was before Copa Colsanitas.

Even if Bogota is only a Tier III $185.000 tournament, Alize needed good run at this point of her year and career to gather enough points to be in better positions in the draw for major tournaments which will include Top 30 players.

It would be difficult to overpass players like Henin, Sharapova, Vaidisova in early Rounds of big North American tournaments coming soon, even more saddened to see a great prospect like Alize out of in early Rounds. That is where battle for those big tournaments starts, at smaller tournaments like Bogota and Acapulco ahead of them.

Alize lost in Round 1 in Bogota against Maria Elena Salerni some-what easily in two sets 6:4 6:2, the only bright spot we can see in it is that Maria Elena later made it to the Copa Colsanitas Final (lost against Nuria Llagostera Vives from Spain 6:0 6:4) so she was in good form.

Acapulco Tournament starts tomorrow (Monday, February 25th) we hope to have a lot to write about Alize's participation and good plays all the way to Sunday. We wish Alize some paradise time in a paradise called Acapulco, her favorite place to be after home town Nice. Hopefully Alize will send us a piece of paradise to see her play in the Final.

Alize Cornet #2 Seed In Bogota, Maria Emilia Salerni Next

2008-02-17T04:59:00.000-08:00

Alize is the #2 seed at Copa Clasanitas Santander, these are thrilling times to see her being Top seeded in WTA Tournaments, hopefully feeling we will soon get used to on even bigger tournaments than Tier III. Flavia Pennetta, who plays today against Zakopalova the Final match in Vina del Mar Chile, is #1 seed, she is World #32 and will probably move a few placed up on Monday's rankings.

First match Alize will play against Maria Emilia Salerni, a 24-year old player from Argentina with a career high ranking in Singles at #87 (on November 2007) and in Doubles #45 (on September 2002), currently in Singles at #89, #146 in 'Race' and #120 in Doubles.

Maria Emilia is mainly concentrated on playing in Doubles where she won her only 2 WTA Tour Titles, she won 11 ITF Women's Circuit Singles and 8 Doubles titles. Maria Emilia reached 1st round in last month's Australian Open, her best achievement in Grand Slams since US Open in 2005.

Maria Emilia is of similar body built to Alize, with 1.74m in height (Alize 1.73), 62kg in weight (Alize 60kg). Her recent performances include participation in Argentinian Fed Cup National team against Austria where she won against World #361 Mayr in 3 sets and lost to World #350 Klaffner in 3 sets.

She lost at Australian Open to World #104 Mariya Koryttseva from Ukraine in first round in 2 sets 6:2 6:3, entered 2008 at #87, her career best start of new season, 2006 at #217, 2005 at #148. Maria Emilia and Alize have never played against each other.

In the next round, Alize could meet the winner between World #112 Maret Ani from Estonia and World #111 Maria Elena Camerin from Italy. Before eventual Final, Alize could play against Tournament's #5 seed World #62 Yvonne Meusburger from Austria and World #72 Jill Craybas from USA, World #143 Jelena Tosic Kostanic from Croatia and Wild Car World #198 Mariana Marino Duque from Colombia.

Along with #1 seed Pennetta, all eyes will be on Alize. Playing against lower ranked players, she can make it to the final and achieve biggest success at WTA Tornaments. Alize proved in Pariz she is in good form, she had 10 days to rest ahead of a long trip to South America and gain enough strength for good performances in Bogota and Acapulco a week later.

Alize is 48 places away from World #1 position, her walk high up starts now & here, this is the time where she needs to prove herself as a Senior and Top Seed in WTA Tournaments with routine to play under high expectation and can show constant quality performances from Tournament to Tournament.

The Final in Bogota would bring Alize additional WTA points after last year's 2nd Round and improve her career-high ranking for 5-6 places, then good performance to at least defend WTA points earned in Acapulco Quarter-finals (1 or her 2 biggest successes in 2007), solid performances across North America and Europe ahead of Roland Gaross...

...higher placed in the draw than in 2007 hopefully to bring easier opponents than Venus Willians last year, with French crowd on her side, Alize could reach 2nd or 3rd round or beyond to be in the Top 30 before mid 2008...

...and WTA World #1, here she comes.

Alize Video Ahead Of American Tour 2008: Last Year's Success In Acapulco

2008-02-16T10:24:00.000-08:00

American Tournament Season Starts Next Week

2008-02-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

First thing first, some key facts about Alize's next tournament:
Place: Bogota, Colombia
Tier III
Prize Money: $185.000
Draw: 32M/32Q/16D
Surface: Red Clay/Outdoors.

Winner will recieve 140 WTA points, finalist 100 points, Semi-finalist 64, Quarter-finalists 35 points and we hope to see Alize there in the Quarter-finals, it would be a step further as Alize reached 2nd round as qualifier last year and lost to eventual tournament champion Roberta Vinci (#6 seed) who defeated Tathiana Garbina (#1 seed) in all Italian Final.

Alize made a step more in Pariz a week ago to reach the 2nd round (last year 1st round), we hope for a step more in Bogota as well. This would earn Alize extra WTA Championship points for a new career high ranking. 2 career high-rankings in a month would be awesome. Alize would be becoming a stable WTA Top 50 player.

While Alize is not yet in the Top 20, it's a great improvement from this time last year when Alize participated in Junior Competitions, ITF and WTA Tournaments. It's all about WTA Tour this year. Draw for the Copa Colsanitas Santander 2008 is to be announced later in the week.

Alize decided to participate in Bogota despite most Top 50 players heading to Qatar Total Open that starts at the same time (February 18th, $2.500.00, Tier I) and later nearby Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship (February 25th, $15.00.000, Tier II).

After Bogota Colombia, Alize will be going to Acapulco Mexico to participate in Abierto Mexicano, similar venue to Copa Colsanitas, both are Tier III events and played on Red Clay. Other than Acapulco being Alize's favorite place to be after her home town Nice, there are a lot of WTA points to defend as she made there one of 2 biggest successes (Quarter-finals apperances) in 2007 season.

North American Tour Season starts on February 25th with Regions Morgan Keegan Championship in Memphis USA, then March 10th Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells USA. We hope for at least two Quarter-final appearances in Alize's American Season, starting with Bogota and Acapulco, later much will depend on the draws in North American Tournaments when Top 10 players join in.

Alize could come back to Europe in April ranked in the Top 40, that is something to look forward to, these will be two exciting months in America for Alize and her fans.

Alize's New Career-High Rank #49

2008-02-11T05:54:00.000-08:00

Alize reached a new career high WTA ranking at position #49 (#9 places improvement), as seen on the new WTA list this morning (February 11th, 2008). This marks Alize's first breakthrough into the top 50, a really big boost and encouragement for her to perform good in the next week's Bogota Tournament where she reached 2nd round last year. We hope with Alize in the Top 50 now, she'll continue positive run and reach Bogota Quarter-Finals for a new career high.

This has already been a great great month for Alize. She made a debut for French Fed Cup team against China, another significant boost for her career. So, it's position #49 and #48 down to go.

To remind us, Alize's last victory came on Tuesday when she defeated Czech qualifier Zakopalova in Paris's Open Gaz de France, after the victory Alize said: 'Even if I started slowly, I then really fought hard to get the victory'. On Wednesday she lost to World #24 Razzano, her Fed Cup team-mate from weekend before. After a week of rest, Alize is off to Columbia with the tournament in Bogota starting February 18th 2008.

Alize Cornet In Play

2008-02-11T04:01:00.000-08:00

Alize Cornet - A Rising Star in WTA Universe

2008-02-11T03:05:00.000-08:00

One look at Alize Cornet's pictures makes you become aware of physical potential even before seeing her play. For a 16-17 year old junior she had a muscle mass and volume many senior famale players never reach. Her athleticism is beyond ordinary. With her neat appearance, she reminds on the former WTA champion Martina Hingins, plus a lot tougher.

Other than physical predispositions, she has a positive spirit needed for a true champion. She's with a lovely personality, enough to becoming a darling of the media. She has the looks desired by advertizers. There's little in potential that Cornet lacks. As with all prospects, mental strength to fully utilize her potential will play a key role. Will she lose sharpness after the first earned million and appearance on the major magazine covers? It's all up to Alize.

Previous big French tennis hope Gael Monfils was in a similar situation, at the age of 18 he was named the biggest French prodigy, predicted to be in the top 10 by the end of 2005, though he was not up to the expectations with a career high rank of #23, currently at #40. Fame, publicity and money earned at early age did not make Monfils exploit his potential while the group of other young players, Djokovic and Murray, predicted along with Monfiels to be the future ATP #1 contenders made it into the top 10 (Djokovic currently World #3, Murray #9).

Alizé entered 2008 ranked #55. She did not do best in initial tournament this year losing in Sydney Q- R64 to the World #64 Olga Savchuk, she started good in Melbourne reaching the second round for the first time in her career at Australian Open, then lost to World #9 Daniela Hantuchova who is in great form and currently plays in the Australian Open Semi-finals.

With this year's Australian Open performance, Alize reached the second round in 4 Grand slams before the age of 18. She is currently at #59 and will likely move a few places up on Monday when the points from Australian Open are added, to possible bring her to a new career best ranking. Cornet will be back in action on February 4th in Paris (Coubertin, Tier II).

Cheers for Alize all the way to the World #1.

Alize - Early Beginnings

2008-02-10T15:52:00.000-08:00

Alizé Cornet was born on January 22nd 1990 in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France. Alizé got her French certificate for High school with 2 years in advance. The team Lagardere and Sciences Po signed an agreement to permit Alize to follow courses at Sciences Po.

In 2004, Alize played in career first events on ITF Circuit in France. In 2005, Alize made debute at Roland Garros, reaching 2nd round as a Wild Card, she defeated Jidkova in 1st round, later lost to (at that time) World #3 seed Mauresmo. She countinued to play on ITF Circuit.

In 2006, Alize debuted at Australian Open, as a Wild Card she lost to Nakamura in 1st round in 3 sets. Later that year, she reached 2nd round at Roland Garros, again as a Wild Card, she won against Ruano Pascual in 1st round, then lost to Garbin. 2006 is the year when Alize won first two ITF Circuit Singles titles.

In 2007, still under the age of 18, she made it into the Top 100 after the first season playing regularly on the Tour. Season highlights include first two Quarter-Final appearances in Acapulco where she started as qualifier, won against #4 seed Brémond, lost to #5 seed Pennetta, and Fes where she defeated #9 seed Gajdosova, later lost to Wozniak 6:3 1:6 7:5 having held 3 match points while leading 5-4 in third set.

In 2007, Alize played all four Grand Slams of the year for the first time, she lost in 1st round at Australian Open, coming as a qualifier, to #15 seed Hantuchova, at Roland Garros as a Wild Card she lost to #26 seed Venus Williams. Alize simulateously participated in junior event and won junior title at the Roland Garros 2007.

She reached 2nd round at Wimbledon as a Lucky Loser, then lost to #26 seed Sugiyama in 3 sets. Alize reached 3rd round at US Open as a qualifier when she won against #29 seed Stosur, later lost to #3 seed Jankovic in 3 sets.

During 2007, in three other main draws on the Tour, Alize reached 2nd round at Bogotá as a qualifier before losing to #6 seed and eventual champion Vinci, fell in 1st round at Paris (Indoors) as a Wild Card losing to Golovin, and at Québec City where Alize as #6 seed lost to qualifier Ditty 7:5 6:3, leading 4:1 in first set.

Alize won 3rd career ITF Circuit singles title at a $50.000 ITF event in Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine, shortly afterwards on August 6st made her Top 100 debut, rising from #107 to #94. Eventually, she withdrew from Kolkata with back injury.

Entering 2008, Alize turned 18 in January and one can no longer talk about her early beginnings, this is the year where she needs to prove herself as a senior. She is #58at the moment, we cheer for Alize to progress 57 places more to the WTA #1 position.

Alize Cornet Fan Blog

2008-02-10T15:41:00.000-08:00

Alizé Cornet is a new rising star in the world of tennis. She just turned 18 but one can already ask are we seeing the development of a future WTA #1 player. I first become aware of Alizé Cornet during the Roland Garros 2007, at that time she was ranked 100+ something. Back then, I thought to start a page and follow her improvement since I could have not seen a prospect with more potential to become future champion than her. I was busy with other sports and things, all until now.

Cheers for Alize all the way to the World #1.