Flavio Cobolli, feat in Cincinnati: eliminated Tommy Paul

Flavio Cobolli-Tommy Paul 6-2 4-6 7-5

Flavio Cobolli's journey to the Cincinnati Masters 1000 began with a feat. The Roman tennis player, in fact, eliminated the number 10 seed Tommy Paul. 6-2 4-6 7-5 was the final score with which the Italian defeated the American, number 13 in the world, after annulling three match-points.

Cobolli got off to a strong start, taking away Paul’s serve in the opening game. The U.S. però signed the immediate counter-break (1-1) and went up 2-1. However, the Roman did not flinch and indeed placed a streak of five consecutive games, cashing the first partial 6-2.

In the second set immediate reaction of Paul who flies in an instant on 3-0. Cobolli, however managed to recover the break disadvantage and tie at 4-4. Here the American places a new and decisive stretch (6-4) that takes the match to the third and decisive set.

In the third partial Paul starts even better and goes up 3-1 but the Azure rejoins him (3-3). The key game è the ninth: Paul, ahead 5-4, goes up 15-40, getting two match-points but Flavio saves with serve and backhand; at the advantages there is another one for the American who wastes it by missing a backhand. Cobolli soì grasps the 5 even. Paul takes the blow, gives up the serve and the blue closes for 7-5 at the first useful match-point.

Cobolli thus enters the second round of the 'Cincinnati Open' where he will face the winner of the challenge between Luciano Darderi, world number 32 and Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, number 21 in the ATP ranking.