French Open: Cobolli stuns Auger-Aliassime, storms into maiden major semifinal
Synopsis
Flavio Cobolli, ranked outside the world's top 10 a week ago, has knocked out fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets to reach his first major semifinal — and guarantee an Italian in Sunday's Roland Garros final. With either Berrettini or Arnaldi waiting, Italy is two wins from ending a 49-year wait since Adriano Panatta's 1976 triumph in Paris.
Key Takeaways
Flavio Cobolli beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on 3 June to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal.
The 24-year-old climbs to world No.10 in the live ATP rankings — a career high.
His semifinal opponent will be a compatriot — Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi — guaranteeing an Italian in Sunday's final.
It is the first all-Italian men's major semifinal in history.
The last Italian man to win Roland Garros was Adriano Panatta in 1976 .
Cobolli won 10 of 14 30/30 points in the three-hour, 23-minute quarterfinal.
Italy's Flavio Cobolli produced the breakthrough performance of his career on Wednesday, 3 June, rallying from a set down to beat fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and storm into his first Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open in Paris. The win, sealed under the closed roof of Court Philippe-Chatrier at Stade Roland Garros, guarantees an Italian in Sunday's men's singles final.
How the match unfolded
The 24-year-old from Rome dropped a windy opening set before the roof was shut at the start of the second, after which conditions and momentum swung decisively. Cobolli's footwork allowed him to dictate from the forehand, and he was clinical on the big points — winning 10 of 14 30/30 points across the three-hour, 23-minute contest.
“I think we played two different matches today. The first set was incredibly windy and tough to play,” Cobolli said on court, referring to the conditions before the roof closed. “I went to the toilet to think a bit and change something. This is the best court I have played on in my life because I can bring my best tennis.”
A career-best leap
Cobolli entered the tournament ranked world No.14 and has climbed to No.10 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings — the highest of his career. The three-time tour-level titlist will make his Top 10 debut on Monday if Jakub Mensik fails to win the title in Paris. Mensik faces Alexander Zverev in the other semifinal.
This is also Cobolli's first win over a Top 10 player at a major, improving his record in such matches to 1-6. “It's been the best week of my life,” he said.
An all-Italian semifinal on Friday
Cobolli will face a compatriot — either Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi — in Friday's semifinal. It is only the third time two Italian men have reached the last four at a major, after Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola at Roland Garros in 1960, and Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti in Paris last year.
“It will be a Matteo in the semi-finals with me. Two of my good friends from the Tour and I wish them good luck, and I hope they enjoy the match,” Cobolli said, adding that he would stick to his routine — dinner with friends and an early night — rather than watch the second quarterfinal.
Italy chasing a 49-year wait
The victory has already secured the first all-Italian men's major semifinal in history and, with it, an Italian in Sunday's final. The last Italian man to lift the Roland Garros trophy was Adriano Panatta in 1976 — a drought Cobolli is now two wins from ending.
Auger-Aliassime, who had been seeking a third major semifinal appearance, exits a tournament he had genuine title aspirations for. For Cobolli, the road from world No.14 to potential Grand Slam champion suddenly looks remarkably short.
Point of View
A clear beneficiary of a friendly draw and shifting conditions when the Chatrier roof closed, can convert this opportunity. A 1-6 record against Top 10 opponents at majors suggests the ceiling is still being tested — but in Paris this week, none of that matters.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Flavio Cobolli beat to reach the French Open semifinal?
Cobolli beat fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals on 3 June. It was his first win over a Top 10 opponent at a Grand Slam.
Who will Cobolli face in the French Open semifinal?
He will play the winner of the quarterfinal between fellow Italians Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi on Friday. The result guarantees an Italian in the men's singles final on Sunday.
When was the last time an Italian man won the French Open?
Adriano Panatta in 1976. No Italian man has lifted the Roland Garros trophy in the 49 years since.
What is Cobolli's new ATP ranking?
He has risen to world No.10 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, the highest of his career. He will officially debut in the Top 10 on Monday if Jakub Mensik does not win the title in Paris.
Has there been an all-Italian men's semifinal at a Grand Slam before?
Two Italian men have reached the same major semifinal only twice before — Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola at Roland Garros in 1960, and Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti in Paris last year. This year's edition will mark the third such occurrence.
