Cobolli, Paolini guide Italy to United Cup quarterfinals
Flavio Cobolli made a remarkable comeback from the brink of defeat, saving a match point, as Italy swept France to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the United Cup.
Cobolli triumphed over Frenchman Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-2. Humbert won his first 17 service points in the second set and served for the match at 6-3, 5-4, 15/0. However, the Frenchman failed to convert a match point at 8/7 in the subsequent tie-break, which proved to be a costly mistake.
Italy completed the 3-0 sweep with victories from Jasmine Paolini and the mixed doubles pair of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. Italy won Group D and advanced to the knockout stages of the mixed-team event. France needed a 3-0 win over Italy to claim the group.
Errani and Vavassori defeated Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Elixane Lechemia 6-3, 7-6 in the mixed doubles.
With Italy already through to the quarterfinals, world No.4 Paolini had no pressure as she took to the court in the women’s singles. The 2024 Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist played calmly and confidently, winning 6-0, 6-2 over Chloe Paquet to officially seal the tie for Italy.
Paolini has dropped only four games in her two group-stage matches. She began the tournament by defeating former Top 5 player Belinda Bencic 6-1, 6-1.
