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Another comeback, another victory and a new step forward in the ATP rankings. Flavio Cobolli reaches the first semifinal of his career in a Masters 1000 at the Cincinnati Open and continues his journey quickly. According to real-time projections, he is virtually number 6 in the world. He could drop to seventh place at most, but he will still start next week with his new top in the rankings.
All thanks to another great evening as a “warrior”, as he defined himself after beating Jodar in the round of 16. This time it was the American Tommy Paul, number 24 ATP, who surrendered, overcoming him with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The comeback against Tommy Paul
It wasn’t easy to break Paul, who was practically perfect in the first set. However, Cobolli managed to change pace, keeping the American at bay in the second set and completing the comeback in the third. After the victory, the Roman gave the camera a message that summarizes his tournament: “I don’t give up.”
«It’s not easy to change gear, every match is different, every set is different – explained Cobolli in the hot interview -. I’m really proud of how I managed to handle all the difficulties today. I am proud of my game, my mentality and my team, which is always very important in my life.”
The first semifinal in a Masters 1000
Cobolli will play the ninth semi-final of his career, the fifth of the season and the first in a Masters 1000 at the Family Lindner Tennis Center. He is the second Italian to reach the penultimate act of the tournament after Jannik Sinner, champion in 2024 and finalist in 2025.
The Roman, seventh seed, looks with optimism to the next matches and to the US Open, the last Slam of the season. «I’m preparing well for the US Open. My condition is still 100%. Obviously I will have to recover after this match. Maybe I’ll play a bit of golf, to disconnect and clear my mind. But I’m ready to fight again,” Cobolli told SuperTennis.
Arthur Fils on his way to the final
In the semi-final Cobolli will face the French Arthur Fils, number 21 in the world, who eliminated the Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante with a score of 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour.
«Tonight went very well – commented Fils -. It was my first time on center court in Cincinnati. It’s a different energy, a different vibe. I simply played my best tennis and I am very happy with the performance.”