A tougher battle than it looked
On paper, this had the feel of a meeting between two players on the same level. On court, it turned into a dogfight. Flavio Cobolli, world No. 10 and the latest Roland-Garros finalist, needed 2h35 to get past Alex De Minaur (6th) in a rollercoaster match that finished 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-3. The win sends the Italian into the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the second Grand Slam in a row.
Nothing was handed to him. Cobolli had taken time to find his rhythm in the first three rounds, a little heavy in the legs, a little off with the timing. But this Monday, against a De Minaur as solid and stubborn as ever, the Italian brought out the big guns at exactly the right moment.
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Key games that turned the match
The first set summed up the whole contest. Tight for a long stretch, it swung when Cobolli broke serve to move to a decisive 6-5, then wrapped up the set straight after. A calculated gamble that immediately put De Minaur under pressure.
The second set was no easier. Both men looked strangely shaky on serve, unable to settle into their usual patterns. Into the tie-break they went, and there the Italian kept his nerve to hold onto the advantage he had earned.
The third set could have changed everything. Cobolli was broken in the opening game, the perfect chance for De Minaur to drag himself back into it. But the Italian never blinked. He reset, got back on level terms and sealed it with one final hold, then let loose on Court 1 with a Cristiano Ronaldo-style “su”.
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Tired, but proud
Speaking to organisers, Cobolli made no attempt to hide how hard it had been. “I was a little bit tired, but I am very happy to win in three sets. It is important to save energy for the next round because it was very hot,” he said, fully aware that the London heat had made life even harder.
But behind the fatigue was real satisfaction. “I am proud of myself,” he added, and the numbers back him up. Reaching back-to-back Grand Slam quarter-finals is no fluke. It is the sign of a player who has taken a big step forward.
A familiar opponent and a busy evening ahead
Next up, Cobolli will find out whether he faces Grigor Dimitrov or British surprise package Arthur Fery. It would not be completely new territory either, after he beat Fery in straight sets at the Australian Open in January.
Before he could even think about that, the Italian already had his evening mapped out: watching the Portugal v Spain clash in the World Cup round of 16. As for the logistics, that was still a work in progress. “Our bags are in the lobby. Maybe you will have something for us here at Wimbledon,” he joked, laughing between lines.
One thing is clear: Cobolli no longer needs to look for his place among the best on tour. He is already there.
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