Wimbledon, Cocciaretto’s dream ends: to the round of 16 goes Bencic

Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s dream at Wimbledon was interrupted in the third round, but the Italian tennis player walked off the court with her head held high after a nearly three-hour battle against Belinda Bencic. The Swiss won with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7) at the end of an intense match, full of twists and turns and several times suspended due to rain.

Cocciaretto, who had started the tournament with great confidence, proved again today that she can compete at a very high level, but missed by a whisker access to the second week of the Championships. The challenge was fought point by point, with the Italian showing mental solidity and remarkable resilience. In the final super tie-break, unfortunately, she paid for her inexperience and the energy expended during the match.

The first set saw Bencic take advantage of the Italian’s only lapse, snatching her serve in the fifth game and closing 6-4. Cocciaretto, however, did not let it get her down and found new energy after the long rain interruption. The Italian turned the inertia of the match around in the second set, winning the decisive break in the fifth game and evening the score with a convincing 6-3.

The third set was a real marathon, with continuous reversals of the front. Cocciaretto had started off strong, winning the break in the opening set and saving an endless game on serve with character. The Swiss, however, managed to recover, thanks in part to an additional short rain break that broke the Italian’s rhythm just at the key moment.

In the final super tie-break Cocciaretto fought valiantly, but Bencic handled the tension better and closed out the match at the second good opportunity.

Despite the defeat, Cocciaretto can look forward to the future with optimism. With the points she earned, she returns to the top 100 players in the world. Most importantly, however, she has shown that she has the qualities to aim even higher.