A surface change has done nothing to put out Flavio Cobolli’s hot streak.
Cobolli, who made a run to the French Open final and was also a runner-up on the clay courts of Munich, is now thriving on grass. The Italian is into the Wimbledon quarterfinals for a second consecutive year after defeating Alex de Minaur 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3 on Monday afternoon. Cobolli won two gripping sets and then pulled away from De Minaur in the third to prevail after two hours and 34 minutes.
“I feel great,” the world No. 10 assured. “(It) was an incredible match for me. From my side I think I played one of [my] best matches ever, especially on this surface that is always tough to play (on). But today I found a way to have a high level for all (of) the match.
“I’m really proud and happy to reach the second quarterfinal in a row here in Wimbledon, That means a lot for me. It’s always special to have a chance to play another match here. Today I played for [the] first time here on Court No. 1. The feeling with the court was incredible. I love to play there. The sound was amazing, amazing feeling with the ball.”
There were no such feelings for De Minaur, who was left ruing yet another missed opportunity at a Grand Slam. The sixth-ranked Australian has never reached a slam semifinal. He was still two wins away from accomplishing that feat at the All-England Club, but it looked entirely within reach in a wide-open section of the draw. Instead, De Minaur bowed out of the fourth round in straight sets.
“It breaks me inside,” the 27-year-old said about his inability to step up at the key moments — in this case specifically in the first and second sets. “That’s the reality of it. Many, many hours get put into my craft, and countless years to kind of have moments like these. To not step up to the plate, it’s truly gut-wrenching. Yeah, it’s very tough.
“Flavio — credit to him — stepped up to the plate, especially in the big moments, came up with some big shots, and that was the difference.
“How do you explain it? Just not good enough mentally. That’s how you explain it.”
Cobolli, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals 12 months ago, will face British wild card Arthur Fery on Wednesday.
nice one, Cobo