Flavio Cobolli advanced to the French Open fourth round on Saturday after comfortably beating Learner Tien on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Cobolli proved too strong for the American 18th seed, winning 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in the hot Parisian conditions.
Cobolli, who has emerged as a contender for the Roland Garros title following a wave of surprising player exits, will play American Zachary Svajda in the French Open fourth round.
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The 10th seed is one of two Italian players left in the draw: Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, will also represent Italy in the fourth round.
Cobolli, who hopes to qualify for his first French Open quarter-final, can take great confidence into his fourth-round clash with Svajda.
Flavio Cobolli joins Rafael Nadal on exclusive Roland Garros list
Flavio Cobolli finds himself in uncharted territory.
The Italian is the only player left in the men’s singles draw who is yet to concede a set on his way to the fourth round.
As per statisticians OptaAce, Flavio Cobolli is the sole player to reach the round of 16 at Roland Garros without conceding a set en route for just the third time in the past 20 years.
Rafael Nadal did so in 2008 after defeating Thomaz Bellucci, Nicolas Devilder and Jarko Nieminen on his way to the fourth round in Paris.
Flavio Cobolli’s projected path to the Roland Garros title
- Fourth round: Zachary Svajda
- Quarter-finals: Felix Auger-Aliassime / Alejandro Tabilo
- Semi-finals: Frances Tiafoe / Matteo Berrettini
- Final: Alexander Zverev
The Spaniard went on to capture his fourth consecutive title in the French capital, beating Roger Federer in the final.
Jannik Sinner also accomplished the feat in 2024, beating Chris Eubanks, Richard Gasquet and Pavel Kotov on his way to the round of 16.
Sinner reached the semi-final stage before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller.
Flavio Cobolli’s previous match against Zachary Svajda
Zachary Svajda’s run to the French Open fourth round has been incredibly impressive.
Svajda has beaten Alexei Popyrin, Adam Walton and 28th seed Francisco Cerundolo on his way to the fourth round in Paris.
The world number 85 has set up a match against Flavio Cobolli; a player whom the American last faced at the 2024 Delray Beach Open.
Cobolli emerged victorious on that occasion, beating Svajda 6-4, 6-7 6-2 in the round of 16.
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“After the second set I was so nervous, but I tried to be calm on the bench and stay focused for the next set,” Cobolli said after the match, as per Tennis Majors.
Cobolli went on to lose in his very next match to Frances Tiafoe.
