United Cup: Cobolli Comeback Sends Italy Into Quarterfinals

Flavio Cobolli, Italy, United Cup
Flavio Cobolli (center) with Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani (photo: Tennis Australia/James Gourley)

SYDNEY/PERTH/WASHINGTON, December 31, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)

Flavio Cobolli saved a match point during an 18-point, second-set tiebreaker against Ugo Humbert at the United Cup inside Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney Tuesday afternoon during Italy’s Group D tie with France. It energized the 22-year-old Italian, who is ranked 32nd and opened his 2025 season with a victory over Switzerland’s Dominic Stricker on Saturday.

The World No. 14 Humbert, who won his first 17 service points in the second set, served for the match at 6-3, 5-4 (15-0), but could not get over the finish line. The Frenchman failed to convert a match point at 8-7 during the tie-break and that became the turning point of the match – and the tie, too.

Soon, Cobolli took control of his match against Humbert and stunned the Frenchman, 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-2, in two hours and eight minutes to give Italy a 1-0 lead. He finished with 11 aces and converted three of four break points against Humbert, who outpointed Cobolli 87-85.

Because Italy needed to win just one of three matches against France, Cobolli’s triumph clinched first place in Group D for the Italians and earned them a quarterfinal berth in the mixed-teams event. The French needed a 3-0 shutout in order to eliminate Italy and win the group.

“I think that we did a great match. It was a great battle to start the season, so I’m really happy about the match,” Cobolli said during his on-court interview. “I think I played a really good match and also it was tough to come back [against] Ugo. Congrats also for him and I wish him good luck for his season.”

Later, World No. 4 Jasmine Paolini eased past No. 123 Chloe Paquet, 6-0, 6-2, in an hour after winning the first seven games of the match and converting all five of her break-point opportunities. Finally, the Italian mixed doubles team of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori defeated Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, 6-3, 7-6 (3), in one hour and 22 minutes to complete the 3-0 sweep for Italy.

Afterward, Paolini expressed happiness with her performance during her on-court interview. “I was focused every time. I think [everything worked] pretty well,” she said. “I’m happy, as well, that Flavio won an amazing match. Unbelievable. He was a set and break down. He turned the match. Unbelievable.”

United States shuts out Croatia to reach quarterfinals

The United States won Group A with a 3-0 shutout win over Croatia Tuesday afternoon in Perth. The Americans – in back of World No. 4 Taylor Fritz and World No. 3 Coco Gauff – made a clean sweep of their Croatian counterparts by winning each of their three matches in straight sets. The victory clinched a quarterfinal berth for the United States, which will face China on Wednesday evening in Perth.

First, Fritz defeated 90th-ranked Borna Coric, 6-3, 6-2, in 91 minutes. He saved both break points he faced while breaking his opponent three times in seven opportunities. Fritz outpointed Coric 63-47 for his first win against the Croatian after losing four straight.

During his on-court interview, Fritz said: “I feel like I’m a completely different player from when we have played in the past. It’s great to get that win, especially after the other day [where I was] a set and break up.” The US Open and Nitto ATP Finals runner-up led Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 5-4 and was serving for the match. He eventually lost to the Canadian 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Next, Gauff showed her dominance against World No. 19 Donna Vekic by winning 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 29 minutes. She won 78 percent of her first-serve points, broke her opponent’s serve four times and outpointed the Croatian 66-48. It was a reversal of the last time the two competitors met at the Paris Summer Olympic Games in July, when Vekic prevailed 7-6 (7), 6-2 in the third round en route to winning a silver medal.

“I’m really happy with how I played today,” Gauff said afterward. She jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the opening set, then won eight of the final 11 games of the match. “She’s a great player, and the Olympics loss hurt, so I definitely was thinking about it today as motivation to do better.”

Fritz and Gauff wrapped up the U.S. clean slate with their 6-2, 6-3 mixed doubles win over Ivan Dodig and Petra Marcinko in an hour.

“I thought we both played solid singles, and then the mixed was a great match,” Gauff said during Team America’s post-match news conference. “Yeah, I think overall we played well, and hopefully we can keep this momentum throughout the rest of the tournament, especially tomorrow.”

Around the United Cup

A year ago, Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic missed the entire Australian swing – including the Australian Open – as a result of a wrist injury that required surgery. Her 2024 season didn’t begin until June on grass in Great Britain. By the end of the year, the 2021 Australian Open semifinalist from Olomouc compiled a respectable 22-8 win-loss record.

Starting the new season with renewed confidence, the 22nd-ranked Muchova got Team Czechia off to a winning start with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Norway’s Malene Helgø. The 28-year-old Czech was focused and ready from first ball to last ball and needed just over an hour to beat the 404th-ranked Norwegian.

“You never know how you are going to approach especially the first match of the season,” Muchova said during her team’s post-match news conference. “So, there was a little bit tricky. I didn’t expect much.

“I wouldn’t say I had a big expectation on my game, as well. I was just trying to get in a rhythm, play point by point. After a few games, I felt better on the court and more confident. I felt I could rely on my serve today, and that helped a lot.

“I started to feel with time on the court better and better. Yeah, I think that for sure it gave me confidence to finish the match in two [sets].”

Muchova is also pairing with Tomas Machac to give the Czechs an outstanding mixed doubles team.

“I like to play doubles, especially mixed doubles with Kaia,” Machac said. “Kaia is unbelievable player.”

On Wednesday, Muchova will face World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the Czech Republic’s tie against Poland with a quarterfinal berth going to the winner of the tie. Swiatek has won two of their three previous meetings.

“I take it very positively to play such a great match against [Iga] before the main event comes,” Muchova said, in reference to the Australian Open, which begins January 12. “Yeah, I think for sure I will have to bring the A game to play against her, to compete against her.”

Tuesday’s United Cup results

Wednesday’s United Cup order of play

By the numbers

Jasmine Paolini of Italy begins the 2025 season ranked in the Top 10 in both singles (No. 4) and doubles (No. 10). At the United Cup, the 2024 Roland-Garros and Wimbledon finalist has dropped only four games in two matches after previously defeating Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, 6-1, 6-1.

“Quotable …”

“I think it’s my game to stay focused all the match and do a great battle. Thanks also for my team supporting me all the points and maybe it’s also for this I won this match.”

– Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, during his on-court interview, following his come-from-behind victory over Ugo Humbert of France that clinched a quarterfinal berth for the Italians.

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