Alize Cornet's belated arrival at major quarter-final at Australian Open is 'great story', says John McEnroe

Alize Cornet is “better than she has ever been” and is now a serious threat at Grand Slams, according to seven-time major winner John McEnroe. Despite appearing in 60 consecutive Slams – two off the all-time record held by Ai Sugiyama – Cornet is gearing up for her maiden major quarter-final at the Australian Open. Ad/> The Frenchwoman, who has already knocked out third seed Garbine Muguruza and former finalist Simon Halep in 2022, faces Danielle Collins on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.

/> Australian Open‘You get a few perks’ – McEnroe on Shapovalov-Nadal special treatment row2 HOURS AGO And McEnroe has been impressed with the 32-year-old's transformation from crafty opponent to genuine contender. “I’ve been watching her for at least a dozen years. She’s always been a fierce competitor,” McEnroe told Eurosport ahead of the remaining women’s quarter-finals in Melbourne.

“I’ve watched many a match, many an event, where it seems she’s got under the skin of her opponent because of her tenacity and her will. But it seemed like there was a gap in terms of her ability to overcome the top players and be able to do some real damage in the Grand Slam events. “But watching her, she seems better than she’s ever been.

I’m not exactly sure why that is. “I mean obviously she has tons of experience. She seems to feel more comfortable on the court, not as much stress as I’ve seen in the past.

That’s helped her game and she’s battled. “Look at the match with Halep, that’s a match in the past I believe she would have lost. There were numerous opportunities she could have gone the other way.