France’s Alize Cornet believes she could be on the brink of finding the consistency that has long evaded her after booking a spot in the Brisbane International semifinals.
The only unseeded women’s player left in the singles draw, Cornet will face Spaniard Garbine Muguruza for a spot in the women’s decider after each won their quarterfinals on Thursday.
Cornet upset No.2 seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-3 7-5 at Pat Rafter Arena – her second high-profile scalp after ousting seventh seed Elena Vesnina in the opening round.
World No.41 Cornet was made to work for it by the Slovakian, who clawed back from 2-5 down in the second set, but the 26-year-old from Nice needed only one match point to clinch victory.
Best known for beating Serena Williams three times in 2014, Cornet hopes it is the start of things to come.
“If I play this level, the whole year, I believe I’ll be probably sitting (in a good position) next year here in Brisbane. At least I hope so,” she said.
“I always had a lack of consistency during my career, and maybe the fact that I’m 26, I’m a little bit older now, I have more experience, and I feel like maybe I’m touching something during this week of Brisbane.
“Emotionally, I handle my emotions much better. And I think that’s how I got some really great victories here.”