Us Open, Cobolli beats Passaro in the fifth set: wins the Italian derby after 3h42 ‘

The fifth Italian derby in the history of the US Open rewards Flavio Cobolli, who beats Francesco Passaro 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-3 in 3 hours and 42 ‘of harsh and compelling battle, which held the public attached to Campo 5 chairs for the duration of the match. An unpublished challenge at the ATP level (there was a 2022 precedent won by the Roman at the Challenger of Vicenza) which in the end Cobolli, number 26 ATP and 24th seeded, leads to its part despite 15 double fouls and just 39% of the first on the field, a probable consequence of the back pain that continue to accompany their performance. Passaro, who already had three qualifying matches behind, served better, interpreted the game for a long time, but paid 81 free of charge and can regret the break of advantage not defended at the beginning of the fifth set.

The match

–

Passaro plays a proactive tennis, pushes and risks. Cobolli knows how to be patient and takes the fruits: under a break in the first set, he recovers it immediately and then gets another for the 6-5 and service with which he closes the partial. Perugino, n.120 ATP, in the middle of the second set has already reached 20 goals to the net, plays a generous tennis and in the end his tenacity rewards him. More present with the head in the match, the set of the sets thanks to two excellent answers, one of which is a winner, and to the two double fouls of Cobolli in the last two points of the tenth game. It is a nervous and electric game, as is convenient for a derby, but not too beautiful: Cobolli alternates prowess to errors, is not melted, but the opponent is wrong and in the ninth game of the third set gives up the service and in practice the partial. The advantage seems to be browning Flavio, who gets the Break d’Accito in the fourth set, but his service continues to make the whims: with two double consecutive fouls he gives the counter-break (2-2).