Wimbledon: Berrettini, Cobolli, Sonego and Paolini eye round of 16 on packed Saturday

Doubles success sets the tone

The day began with a straight-sets victory for Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the men's doubles. The Italian pair defeated Jesper de Jong and Valentin Royer 6-1, 6-4 on Court 14 to reach the round of 16. Vavassori is also scheduled to play mixed doubles later on Saturday alongside Sara Errani. Their win extends Italy's strong start to the tournament, where Jannik Sinner had already booked his place in the fourth round with a win over Jenson Brooksby.

Cobolli and Sonego on Court 2

Flavio Cobolli, the world number 9 and French Open finalist, faces Russia's Karen Khachanov in the second match on Court 2, scheduled not before 13:30 CEST. Cobolli lost their only previous meeting, on clay in Madrid two years ago, 7-5, 6-4. Immediately after, Lorenzo Sonego takes on sixth seed Taylor Fritz of the United States. Sonego trails the head-to-head 2-6 and has not beaten Fritz since 2021, but their recent encounters have been tight, with two tie-break sets in Cincinnati last year. Fritz won their only previous Wimbledon meeting, in the first round in 2018, in four sets.

Berrettini returns to Centre Court

Matteo Berrettini, a former Wimbledon finalist, plays the third match on Centre Court against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov. The match is expected around 18:30 CEST. The two are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head, with both matches played in 2019: Dimitrov won on clay in Monte Carlo, Berrettini on indoor hard in Vienna. Berrettini, now ranked 51, is playing on Centre Court for the first time since his run to the final three years ago. He reached this stage with wins over Stan Wawrinka and Arthur Fils. Dimitrov, ranked 146, has shown improved fitness after retiring injured in last year's fourth round against Sinner, and he advanced past Sweeny and Mensik.

Paolini faces Sakkari on Court 3

Jasmine Paolini, the only Italian woman left in the draw, meets Greece's Maria Sakkari in the second match on Court 3, also around 13:30 CEST. Paolini trails their head-to-head 2-3, with Sakkari winning their most recent clash in Doha earlier this year 6-4, 6-2. Paolini is looking to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time, having fallen in the second round last year. She beat Golubic and Montgomery in the opening rounds.

Record within reach

If Cobolli, Sonego and Berrettini all win, it would mark the first time four Italian men have reached the Wimbledon last 16. The previous best was three, set last year. Sinner, already through, will face Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki on Sunday. All matches are broadcast exclusively on Sky Sport and streamed on SkyGo and NOW.