Cobolli overcomes stomach illness to stun Khachanov in five-set Wimbledon thriller
Flavio Cobolli fought back from a 0-6 first set and stomach problems to beat Karen Khachanov 0-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2 and reach the Wimbledon round of 16 for the second straight year.
Flavio Cobolli produced a dramatic five-set comeback against Karen Khachanov on Saturday to book his place in the Wimbledon fourth round. The Italian lost the opening set 6-0 in just 18 minutes and later dropped the third set in a tie-break, but rallied to win 0-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-2 after nearly four hours on court.
A rocky start
Cobolli looked out of sorts from the beginning, calling a medical timeout after the first set. He later revealed the cause was stomach discomfort.
I wasn't feeling well with my stomach. Then luckily the doctor helped me, and when I came back on court my stomach was ok... maybe I played too early.
The 0-6 set was over in 18 minutes, but the Italian's condition improved after treatment.
The comeback
The match turned early in the fourth set. Cobolli saved three consecutive break points from 0-40 in a crucial service game, closing it with a marathon rally. From that moment he seized control, while Khachanov's error count climbed. Cobolli varied his game with drop shots and net approaches, and in the fifth set he broke with a spectacular running one-handed backhand. A delicate forehand drop shot sealed the victory.
- Match begins
- First set: Khachanov wins 6-0 in 18 minutes
- Cobolli takes medical timeout for stomach issues
- Second set: Cobolli wins tie-break 7-6(4)
- Third set: Khachanov wins tie-break 7-6(5)
- Fourth set: Cobolli dominates 6-2
- Fifth set: Cobolli wins 6-2, advances to round of 16
Celebration and next steps
After the win, Cobolli celebrated with a surfing-style dance, imitating Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha's goal celebration from the World Cup.
It was a bet with my coach. We're watching the World Cup and this is the Brazilian striker I love to imitate. I've been forgetting to do it for three days. Today I couldn't forget.
Cobolli, who reached the last 16 at Wimbledon for the second year running, will face fifth seed Alex de Minaur on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Paolini also through
Jasmine Paolini joined Cobolli in the fourth round with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Maria Sakkari in just over an hour. The Italian said she was pleased with her performance after a difficult few months.
