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Tsvetana Pironkova’s incredible performance at the US Open continued with her fourth consecutive victory in the tournament and she reached the quarterfinals. The Bulgarian defeated world 59th Alize Cornet with 6: 4, 6: 7 (5), 6: 4 in 2:53 hours.
The two met for the fourth time and Pironkova scored her third hit. She missed a match ball in the second set and lost it after a tiebreaker. After that, the Bulgarian managed to get out of a very difficult situation, but she physically endured to become a winner.
So far in the tournament Pironkova has not lost a set, but against Corne for the first time she gave one to her rival. They both played tennis very well. Before the meeting with the French, she convincingly defeated Ludmila Samsonova, the former world No. 1 Garbine Mugurusa and Donna Vekic.
In the quarterfinals, she will face six-time New York champion Serena Williams. The American met serious resistance, but managed to cope with Maria Sakari’s 15th position after 6: 3, 6: 7 (6), 6: 3. The match lasted 2.29 hours.
For the Bulgarian, this will be the first quarter-final in New York, and so far she has not skipped the fourth round. In Grand Slam tournaments, Pironkova has a semi-final at Wimbledon 2010, as well as two quarter-finals: in London in 2011 and at Roland Garros in 2016.
The Bulgarian will play Serena Williams for the fifth time, and there is still no victory over her.
“What’s happening is unbelievable, unreal. I was very exhausted at the end, but I had to keep fighting. I didn’t feel as much tension, I was just trying to be a little more aggressive,” Pironkova said.
He explained that he needed a break before his match with Williams. “I know his game well, but now I need a break and an ice bath.”
The match started off hesitantly for Pironkova, who was 0: 2 behind after a breakthrough. However, the Bulgarian managed to recover and in turn tested the French, so that later she could equalize.
Several games played followed, but at the most important moment he managed to make another breakthrough. This happened in the ninth game so that Pironkova could lead 5: 4. The Bulgarian immediately confirmed the advance and closed the set in the 48th minute.
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The momentum of the first half allowed him to play well early in the second set, when he led 2-0. Pironkova could have made a second advance to take the lead with three games, but Cornet came out of a tough spot.
This immediately led to a collapse in the Bulgarian’s game and the balance of power was reversed, as the French took four consecutive games.
Several more spins followed, including 5: 4 in favor of Pironkova. She served for the match, reaching for the match ball, but it broke, allowing another advance in the 10th game. Finally a tiebreak was reached, in which Cornet showed more nervousness and won it with 7: 5 points.
The third set was a supreme test for the nerves and physique of the two tennis players. Corne tried and took the lead with 2: 1 at the first break, but Pironkova responded immediately and reached 2: 2. The Bulgarian failed to make another advance in the sixth game, but did so in the eighth to lead 5: 3.
A game of zero and a place in the quarterfinals of the race followed.
