ATP Tour

Cobolli ends Auger-Aliassime's Roland Garros hopes, reaches first major SF

Flavio Cobolli broke new ground on Wednesday afternoon in Paris, where he reached his maiden major semi-final at Roland Garros.

In an explosive performance under the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 24-year-old Italian earned a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win against fourth-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was aiming to reach the last four at a major for the third time.

"I think we played two different matches today. The first set was incredibly windy and tough to play," Cobolli said of the windy first-set conditions before the roof was closed at the start of the second set. "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. I said to myself to fight as I felt this would be the chance of my life and I have to give everything in my matches and today I did it."

The top half of the men’s draw has been a land of opportunity since last Thursday, when top seed and last year’s finalist Jannik Sinner suffered a surprising second-round defeat to Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

Cobolli has been one of the many keen to capitalise on the opportunity and the World No. 14 did just that once again in the French capital to reach the last four. After not dropping a set in his first three matches in Paris, Cobolli showed a few nerves in his win against Zachary Svajda in the fourth round. The three-time tour-level titlist eventually overcame the American in a fourth-set tie-break and looked more assured throughout his three-hour, 23-minute victory against Auger-Aliassime.

The Italian demonstrated great footwork to dictate on his forehand, while he played well on the pressure points, winning 10 of 14 30/30 points in the match. It is the first time Cobolli has defeated a Top 10 opponent at a major (1-6) and he is up four spots to No. 10 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. The 24-year-old will make his Top 10 debut on Monday if Jakub Mensik fails to win the title. The Czech meets Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final on Friday.

Just two wins from winning his maiden major title, Cobolli will play a countryman in the semi-finals: Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi. It is the third time two Italians have reached the semi-finals at a major after Nicola Pietrangeli and Orlando Sirola at Roland Garros in 1960 and Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti in Paris last year.

"I will do the same routine as every day. I will go to dinner with my friends. I will go to bed and sleep," Cobolli said when asked if he would watch the second quarter-final. "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."

With his quarter-final victory, Cobolli has also guaranteed a first all-Italian men’s major semi-final in history and there will be an Italian in Sunday's final. The last time an Italian man won Roland Garros was in 1976, when Adriano Panatta triumphed.

The opening set was played in blustery, windy conditions, but it was Auger-Aliassime who adapted more effectively. The Canadian struck nine more winners than Cobolli and consistently used depth to draw errors from his opponent. After an hour-long set, the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier was closed, briefly appearing to favour Auger-Aliassime as conditions stabilised.

The fourth seed surged ahead early in the second set, building a 3-1 lead, but momentum quickly shifted. From 3-1, 30/15 and seemingly in control, Auger-Aliassime was broken in the fifth game when a looped forehand dropped wide to give Cobolli a foothold. That moment ignited the Italian, who lifted his intensity and began to dictate play more freely with his forehand. Buoyed by the crowd, Cobolli sharpened his timing and energy to claw his way back and level.

From there, the Italian took control and played his best in the biggest moments. Cobolli fended off all seven break points he faced in the third set and then closed out in the fourth with minimal fuss to improve to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Auger-Aliassime.

Auger-Aliassime was aiming to reach his third major semi-final and first outside of the US Open (2021 and 2025). The World No. 6 defeated Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets to advance to the quarter-finals in Paris for the first time, but Cobolli ensured that would be the end of the journey.

Cobolli has lifted three tour-level trophies, with two coming on clay in Hamburg and Bucharest. However, he has never triumphed at an event above ATP 500 level. Cobolli was playing in his second major quarter-final after reaching that stage at Wimbledon last year. Following his win, the Italian lifted his arms aloft and sent a beaming smile across to his team.