US Open, Flavio Cobolli withdraws against Lorenzo Musetti

Conclusion that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of the Italian derby in the third round of the US Open men’s singles: Flavio Cobolli withdrew while losing 6-3 6-2 2-0 to Lorenzo Musetti, who thus lands for the first time in the round of 16 at Flushing Meadows.

First break points in the first two games of the match, Musetti saving one in the first, Cobolli two in the second. The decisive break for the 23-year-old from Carrara came at 3-2 in his favor, Lorenzo missed a set point at 5-2 but held serve in the next game.

Musetti immediately goes 2-0 up in the second set, saves two counterbreak points for a 2-2 but once he forfeits the 3-1 lead he goes ahead by two breaks by snatching Cobolli’s serve to zero as he had done in the first game.

Flavio has a jolt: he immediately recovers one of the two breaks but on 2-4 has to break serve again. At 2-5 he still tries to keep the partial alive with two break points but Musetti cancels them and goes ahead by two sets at the second opportunity.

He also breaks in Lorenzo’s favor in the first game of the third set and lost also the second game Cobolli, who can’t take it anymore, throws in the towel after an hour and 33 minutes of play. Now Musetti will meet the winner between Spain’s Jaume Munar and Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.

“Winning like that stings, during the match there’s been a great show for this derby with a bitter ending – Musetti told Supertennis microphones at the end of the match -. It was tough and anyway it is not easy to face him, I wish him to come back soon. I think Flavio has grown so much, you could see he was struggling on serve.”

“A shame to close it like this. From my side I am happy to be in the round of 16, but now I will go to console my dear friend Flavio. I can be satisfied with my tennis – continued Lorenzo – I played a solid match. I am so happy to be in the round of 16. Do I give magic to the audience with my backhand? It is not easy to explain how it is done”.