GAZ DE FRANCE > PARIS > T2 > R8
Marion showed why she is French #1 by dismantling world number 26 and compatriot, Virginie Razzano. Marion is now the last home player left in the Paris tournament.
I can appreciate it must be a perennial dilemma for sportswriters to know how to compose an interesting narrative out of a bagel or 6-1 set. But let me make an effort..
1ST SET
Marion Bartoli 6. Virginie Razzano 1.
Done.
2ND SET
Ok, so if it's not a football score. lol. A Cricket score maybe?
Onward to the 2nd set.
Rattled Razzano made things more of a contest for the French spectators.
The first step for Razanno was to hold serve. She did so. However Marion showed her capacity to step up as necessary. Marion broke for 4-2.
As with yesterdays match against Cibulkova, the opposition immediately broke back and held serve for 4-4. Game on.
Razzano then broke Marion for 5-4 on a double fault. What audacity! How dare thee!
Marion broke back and held. Razzano then held to 15 to take the 2nd set into a tie-break.
The French fans now had a fine rivalry on their turf, with two of their honorable countrywomen battling it out to earn a place in the semi final.
For Razzano.. she had to win the tie break to keep the match alive. For Marion.. just keep pushing girl.
Marion immediately took a 2-0 lead. Razzano managed to bring it back to parity. But you get the feeling that Razzano is just trying to hold on, as again the pattern is repeated with Marion up 4-2.
Marion now turns the screw for 5-2. Razzano got it to 5-3. But two more points, and it's 7-5.
Game Set and Match. Miss. Bartoli. Sweet.
SEMI FINAL
Playing three days consecutively, It can only be helpful to Marion's physical condition and self confidence that she has won her matches in straight sets.
Marion will now meet world number 7 Anna Chakvetadze. They played a few months ago. Marion came out victorious.
STATS
Aces 0
Double faults 5
1st Serve 60%
1st serve points won 78%
2nd serve points won 52%
Break points saved 50%
1st return points won 42%
2nd return points won 60%
break points won 71%
Total service points won 68%
Total return points won 50%
Allez Marion!!
