Tournament of legends. Sabatini and Dulko: defeat with smiles in an unforgettable week at Roland Garros

Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela Dulko they fell by a double 6-4, in one hour and 15 minutes, against the French Tatiana Golovin and Nathalie Tauziat in the second challenge for Group A of the French Open legends contest. After the successful debut against the Americans Lindsay Davenport and Mary-Joe Fernandez, now the Argentines will face the Croatian Iva Majoli and the French Mary Pierce in the last match of the zone, seeking to stay on top and qualify for the final on Saturday. .

Unlike the first match, also on the court Suzanne Lenglen, Gaby and Gisela showed certain difficulties in the service. Between the two they committed ten double faults, achieved 52% of first serves, won 56% of points with the first serve and just 26% with the second. In fact, the match ended with a double fault from Gaby. Beyond the defeat, the Argentines never lost their sympathy or their smile; They were seen enjoying themselves a lot in this return of both to the brick dust of the Bois de Boulogne.

10.27. Definition time.

After breaking Dulko, the French served to win the match at the Suzanne Lenglen, but stumbled again and the Argentines remain on their feet, 4-5. Now take out Sabatini.

10.17. The Argentines, complicated.

Sabatini was unable to hold her serve and the French are very well positioned in the second set, ahead in the score by 4-2. Gaby exhibited difficulties with the serve in this match. Despite being down on the scoreboard, the Argentines enjoy the match, smile, exchange jokes and receive the support of the public.

10.09. La Mano de Tauziat.

Within an even match, it was difficult for Sabatini and Dulko to maintain the rhythm they had shown in the first match, some errors appeared at specific moments, and the first part of the match was on the side of the French, with a very good participation of Tauziat, who lived up to his status as former number 3 in the world with talent in touches. They equal 2-2.

Tauziat was a Wimbledon finalist in 1996. She lost to the late Jana Novotna (at age 49, in 2017, from cancer) 6-4, 7-6.

9.59. Good start to the second set.

After giving up the first set, Sabatini and Dulko begin the second set emboldened, breaking the French’s serve (1-0).

9.55. First set for the locals.

Beyond the push of the Argentines, Golovin and Tauziat took over the first set, 6-4 (Dulko could not hold his serve). The hosts had fewer game winners than the Argentines (5 against 10), but also fewer unforced errors (11 against 20).

9.48. A chance to close the set wasted by the locals.

With a certain lack of coordination in the service (the blow that had cost her the most during the preparation, according to her own account), Sabatini was unable to hold her serve. The French break (5-3) and serve for a set. However, now it is Golovin (number 12 in the world in 2008) who cannot defend him and the Argentines shorten the distance (4-5).

9.42. The Argentines achieve another break.

Now it is the former Argentine tennis players who achieve a new break, this time against Tauziat’s service. The French are still up, 4-3.

9.40. The locals distance themselves.

Tauziat and Golovin break Dulko’s serve again and take distance in the first set: 4-2. “Come on Gabby! We love you!”, is heard in the court. A handful of Argentine spectators encourage Gaby and Dulko at the Suzanne Lenglen (the second most important stadium in the Parisian complex).

9.30. Ace by Sabatini.

Ace of Sabatini! Gaby closed her service game with a direct serve, drawing applause and smiles from themselves (2-2). The French then took the lead, 3-2, on Golovin’s serve. Tauziat shows a lot of prowess at the net; He “he has a lot of hand”, as they say popularly in tennis.

9.24. French breakup.

The Europeans break Dulko’s serve and the match is tied (1-1).

9.19. Break of the Argentines.

Tigrense Dulko and Sabatini begin by breaking Golovin’s serve and take a 1-0 lead.

9.15. The match started in Paris.

Starts the match. At the service the French Golovin.

9.13. Tauziat, a former rival of Gaby.

The French Tauziat, one of the opponents of Sabatini and Dulko in this second challenge for the tournament of legends, was Gaby’s rival in times of professionalism. Born in Bayonne (a commune in the south of France) 54 years ago, she faced Argentina eleven times and was only able to beat her once, in the 1991 Zurich WTA quarterfinals, 7-6 (9-7). and 6-3. She was number 3 in the world in 2000 and won eight titles.

9.05. Gaby and Gisela walk on the brick dust of Paris.

Applause on the Suzanne Lenglen court, because Gaby Sabatini and Gisela Dulko stepped on the Parisian brick dust to face the French Tatiana Golovin (34 years old) and Nathalie Tauziat (54).

8.59. Davenport and Mary-Joe win against Pierce and Majoli.

In the first round of the day at the French Open, Davenport and Mary-Joe Fernández defeated Croatian Iva Majoli and French Mary Pierce 6-4, 0-6, 10-8 in the tie-break match, for the same group of the tournament of the legends of Sabatini and Dulko.

8.54. Good debut against Davenport and Mary-Joe.

Yesterday, in the debut of the Argentines in the “Legends Trophy” at Roland Garros, Sabatini and Dulko defeated two historic Americans Lindsay Davenport and Mary-Joe Fernandez, 6-3 and 6-3, in the court Suzanne Lenglen.

8.48. Male legends are over; Sabatini and Dulko enter.

On the court Suzanne Lenglen, the second most important court at Roland Garros, finished the match of the tournament of legends, for the men’s team. In a completely French duel, Nicolas Escude and Paul-Henri Mathieu beat Henri Leconte and Michael Llodra 6-3, 6-4.

They already come to the court Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela Dulko to play the second challenge for Group A, against the locals Tatiana Golovin and Nathalie Tauziat.