Flavio Cobolli has reached the semifinals at Roland Garros, his first Grand Slam appearance, where he'll face Matteo Arnaldi. This ensures the presence of an Italian in the Parisian final, in the year of a sensational opportunity squandered by Sinner, still struggling with his unexplained illness.
Matteo Berrettini, however, once again had to mourn the disappointment, as yet another injury stopped him in the second set of the fourth set against Arnaldi, who was still ahead at that point in the match (7-5, 5-2). The Parisian Grand Slam still goes to Italy this time, much to the delight of FITP president Binaghi, who is now requesting a free-to-air broadcast for the upcoming all-Italian semifinal.
In his quarterfinal, Cobolli beat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, world number 6, in four sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4), with a comeback worthy of applause. This afternoon, at the Philippe-Chatrier Center Court, "these were two different matches. At the start, it was very windy and it was difficult to play," the Roman tennis player explained. Then, after going down against the Canadian in the first set, the tournament director ordered the automatic roof to be closed due to the risk of rain. And for the twenty-three-year-old, ranked number 13 in the world (but soon to be in the Top 10, already after Paris if Mensik doesn't win), it was the beginning of a long recovery. "I told myself, 'I'll fight,' I felt like it was the chance of a lifetime, and I did it. Now there's a little bit left."
This is his first Grand Slam semifinal appearance. After his 3-hour, 24-minute performance, the Roman tennis player sends kisses and caresses to the Centre Court at Porte d'Auteuil. "This is the most beautiful court I've ever played on in my life." "I think the president will be happy," Cobolli adds, referring to Angelo Binaghi, who applauds him from the stands.
Berrettini had a tough start, breaking Arnaldi in the first game. However, his rival quickly recovered, sealing the first set in a tiebreak after over an hour and twenty minutes. It was a mini-marathon that must have taken its toll on the Roman's body, as he requested a medical timeout early in the second set due to a problem with his abdominal adductor. Upon his return, he quickly showed signs of distress, and was asked to stop in his stirrup box, eventually giving up at 5-2 to Arnaldi.
(Unioneonline)
