Cobolli and Paolini Lead Italy to United Cup Quarterfinals
Click to start listening
Sydney, Dec 31 (NationPress) Flavio Cobolli staged a remarkable comeback after being on the brink of defeat, saving a match point and leading Italy to a 3-0 triumph over France, thus earning a spot in the quarterfinals of the United Cup.
The Italian tennis player overcame French competitor Ugo Humbert with a score of 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-2. Humbert had an impressive start, winning his first 17 service points in the second set and even served for the match at 6-3, 5-4, 15/0.
However, the Frenchman failed to convert his match point at 8/7 during the subsequent tie-break, which turned out to be detrimental.
Italy continued their dominance by clinching the tie with a 3-0 victory thanks to Jasmine Paolini and the mixed doubles team of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. With this win, Italy topped Group D and progressed to the knockout rounds of this mixed-teams event. France needed a 3-0 win to claim the group.
The mixed doubles duo of Errani and Vavassori also secured a victory, defeating Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Elixane Lechemia with scores of 6-3, 7-6.
With Italy already assured of their quarterfinal spot, world No.4 Paolini felt no pressure as she played in the women’s singles.
The 2024 Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist displayed poise throughout her match, winning decisively with a score of 6-0, 6-2 against Chloe Paquet, thereby officially sealing the tie for Italy.
Throughout the group stages, Paolini has only dropped four games, having previously defeated former Top 5 player Belinda Bencic with a score of 6-1, 6-1 in her opening match of the tournament.
