OLBIA/STARNBERG, October 21, 2023
Flavio Cobolli has reached the semi-finals of the Olbia Challenger. The 21-year-old Italian overcame second-seeded Frenchman Constant Lestienne as well as the rain, which had interrupted the match in the eleventh game of the second set. On Centre Court of TC Terranova on Friday, No. 7 seed Cobolli broke his rival’s serve four times to secure a 7-5, 7-6(4) victory in two hours and seven minutes.
🦁 The roar of the warrior
Flavio #Cobolli 🇮🇹 surpasses Lestienne and secures a place in the Olbia Challenger semifinal 💥 #tennis #OlbiaChallenger #ATPChallenger #Sardegna pic.twitter.com/bhX677VaiJ
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) October 20, 2023
“It was a complicated match,” said Cobolli. “I was a little nervous when it mattered more, but then I reacted. During the rain break, I analyzed the situation well, and I’m happy with my management.”
The success sends Cobolli to the stage of the final four against Alex Molcan of Slovakia and virtually catapults him into the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings. He would currently be the World No. 98, but there are still players behind him who could overtake him and prevent him from achieving the milestone next Monday.
“Regardless of the ranking I will have on Monday, I can say that entering the top 100 is something a player dreams of since he starts playing tennis. Regardless of this goal, there is still a lot to do, and I can’t wait to continue this journey,” Cobolli said.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Quarterfinals – Singles
Kyrian Jacquet (Q) b. Ugo Blanchet (SE) 6-0 4-6 6-2
Joris De Loore (SE) b. Francesco Forti (Q) 6-4 6-4
Alex Molcan (4) b. Mattia Bellucci 6-3 6-2
Flavio Cobolli (7) b. Constant Lestienne (2) 7-5 7-6(4)
