Cobolli survives Svajda scare to reach first Roland Garros quarter-final, jokes about Roma's Champions League hopes
Italy's Flavio Cobolli overcame a mid-match wobble and a resilient Zachary Svajda to win 6-2, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, securing his first French Open quarter-final berth after 3 hours and 19 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Dominant start gives way to tension
Flavio Cobolli appeared to be cruising into the Roland Garros quarter-finals after taking the first two sets 6-2 and 6-3 against American Zachary Svajda. The Italian, ranked number 13 in the world, was in full control on Court Philippe-Chatrier, breaking serve repeatedly and handling the early pressure with ease. The match seemed a straightforward progression toward a meeting with either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Alejandro Tabilo.
Svajda fights back
Svajda refused to fold. The American raised his level in the third set, forcing a tie-break which he won 7-3 to extend the contest. The momentum shift was palpable as Cobolli, who had been so assured, suddenly found himself dragged into a fourth set that grew increasingly tense. Svajda saved a match point and broke back when Cobolli served for the match at 5-4, pushing the set to another tie-break.
What I understood today is that matches are never over. With my team, we almost crapped ourselves.
Cobolli closes it out
Cobolli regrouped in the fourth-set tie-break, holding his nerve to finally subdue Svajda and seal a 6-2, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 victory. The win marks Cobolli's second career Grand Slam quarter-final and projects him to 11th place in the ATP rankings. He will face the winner of Auger-Aliassime versus Tabilo on Wednesday.
Ball boy incident during second set
A moment of concern arose early in the second set when a wayward backhand from Svajda struck a ball boy positioned near the umpire's chair. Svajda immediately approached the youngster, who reassured everyone by raising his thumb. The ball boy later drew applause from the crowd when he resumed his duties, retrieving a ball from the centre of the court.
Cobolli's football banter
A passionate football fan and former player, Cobolli used his on-court interview to congratulate Paris Saint-Germain supporters on their Champions League triumph. He joked that he had asked them to keep quiet the night before the final against Arsenal but they kept him awake. The Roma supporter then delivered a playful warning: "Next year Roma will be in the Champions League too. So watch out."
Congratulations to PSG. Next year Roma will be in the Champions League too. So watch out.
