AEGON International
Eastbourne
Semi Final

Friday 19 June 2009

Order Of Play

Start 11:30

Centre Court - Match 1

V. Razzano [FRA] vs. M. Bartoli [FRA]

Match Preview

Do you believe in fate? Whether or not you do, there seems something quite fitting that these two Frenchwoman should meet on a tennis court, so soon after Virginie expressed such kind sentiments about Marion.

"Marion complimented me in the locker room." Said Virginie following her victory over Daniela Hantuchova at the French Open, "It was from the bottom of her heart. I found it so cute from her, so nice. She said, You don’t like Hantuchova at all, do you? Hantuchova or another girl, no, I want to do my match. I want to do my job as usual. It’s true. I was so happy to win, and that’s the way it is.

She congratulated me. I said congratulations, as well, for what she did yesterday, even though it was against a French player. You know, we support each other, and, you know, tennis is not an easy sport compared with other sports. It’s quite a difficult sport, and we’ve seen this at least for the women tournaments. It’s not always easy, not always pink. You have to look at the bright side. If you get support from the other French girls, it’s a good thing."

With that one statement of faith Virginie showed that the future health of French tennis lies in the inter-connected rather than the inter-nicene. And when it comes to health Virginie knows a thing or two, having endured off court concerns about the health of a partner, while trying to maintain her commitments to her sporting profession.

Widely regarded as one of the most amiable and genuine players on the tour, Virginie has met the challenges 2009 has thrown at her with some distinction. An impressive run to the Dubai final in February and a decent fourth round finish at the French Open, have helped haul Virginie's ranking back from around 60 at the start of the season to its current position of 25.

There won’t be much pink about tomorrow's semi final between l'bleu grande femmes, which promises to be red in tooth and claw.

On the basis of ranking Virginie is currently French No.4 and Marion No.1. Both players will be eager to show their status in the French hierarchy, and reach the final of the AEGON International.

The No.1 Frenchwoman has won both previous encounters, which took place last year (Rome clay, Paris indoors). Marion will start as favorite on the basis of ranking, head to head, and grass court ability. But Virginie has a good all round game, she eliminated the reigning Eastbourne titleholder Agnieszka Radwanska - she certainly isn’t there to make up the numbers.

This should be the toughest match Marion has had so far this week. It's up to Marion to set the agenda tomorrow. If she dictates play, and makes sure that her serve doesn't wander, then she will win. It's in Mama's hands.

Marion's thoughts On the all French encounter..

Bartoli said she was expecting a tough match against Razzano. “I haven't played her for three years and she’s beaten two good players in the last two rounds so I'm expecting a hard match,” said the world No.12. “I played a good match today and it's nice that there will be one Frenchwoman in the final with a chance to win Eastbourne.”
(Courtesy of LTA)

Must be an error, Marion actually played Virginie twice last year.

Virginie Razzano
Virginie Razzano
(Matgarz / CC Attribution 3.0)