Flavio Cobolli battled past 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) to reach the first Grand Slam quarter final of his career at Wimbledon. Cobolli has become the eighth Italian player to reach the quarter final at Wimbledon. He set up a quarter final clash against his idol Novak Djokovic.
Cobolli broke into the top 20 next Monday rising from world number 24 to either number 19 or 20 in the ATP Ranking. He was ranked world number 45at the start of the year. He rose from world number 45 to number 36 after winning his first ATP 250 title in Bucharest.
Cobolli needed just two breaks of serve in the fifth game of the first set and in the seventh game of the second set to take a two-set lead. Cobolli saved three set points in the 12th game of the third set. A double fault handed Cilic the tie-break of the third set.
Cilic converted his fourth break point in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Cobolli broke straight back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Cilic earned an early mini-break at the start of the tie-break. Cobolli won seven of his next nine points including three mini-breaks to seal the tie-break 7-3.
Cobolli is coached by his father Stefano, who was also a professional tennis player. The young Italian player played football for the youth set-up of AC Roma. “Now I’m really emotional because this is a day that I never forget, for sure. I played a really good match today. I’m very proud of myself, about my attitude on the court. I think I believe since the first point of the match to win today. I am really, really happy. I have dreamed this moment since I was a child”, said Cobolli.
