Cornet Drops Only Three Games in Her Grand Return to WTA Competition

This Tuesday, April 1st, Alizé Cornet made her comeback after nearly a year away. After announcing her retirement following Roland-Garros in 2024, the Nice native reversed her decision in recent days.

To prepare for the WTA 1000 qualifiers in Madrid and Rome, the 35-year-old Cornet is competing in the WTA 125 tournament in La Bisbal d’Emporda, Catalonia. In her first-round match, she faced Irene Burillo Escorihuela, the world No. 231.

In a match she dominated, the 2022 Australian Open quarterfinalist conceded only three games to advance to the second round (6-1, 6-2). This marks her first victory on the main tour since the WTA 125 Paris tournament in May 2024, where she defeated Yuliia Starodubtseva and Olivia Gadecki before falling in the quarterfinals to Elena-Gabriela Ruse.

For a spot in the quarterfinals, Cornet will face Swiss player Susan Bandecchi, ranked No. 199, who earlier in the day defeated Starodubtseva (6-2, 3-6, 6-4).

The Frenchwoman, who used a protected ranking to enter the main draw, could potentially meet Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the quarterfinals if the expected results hold until then.