Pilar Barril in Spain. No other Spanish player would reach a GS quarterfinal until Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in 1987. Pilar Barril Pilar Barril (10 October 1931 – 30 September 2011) was a female Spanish tennis player who was active during the 1950s and early 1960s. She and María Josefa de Riba were the first Spanish women to play international tennis tournaments after the World War II. She was the first Spanish lady to reach the quarterfinals of the French Open since Lilí de Álvarez. She was also a semifinalist in the 1956 mixed doubles competition. She was a pioneer, appearing regularly at
Mercedes Paz first time. Mercedes Paz Mercedes María Paz (; born 27 June 1966) is a former professional tennis player from Argentina, who won three singles titles during her career on the WTA Tour. The right-hander reached her highest career ranking on April 29, 1991, when she became the No. 28 of the world. Her best Grand Slam finish was the fourth round at the 1986 French Open and the 1990 French Open. Paz is best known for upsetting defending champion Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the second round of the 1990 French Open. Later that year, at the Virginia Slims of Worcester,