But the Swiss, 236th in the world this week, intended to go further. Serving the lead – 17 aces, including 9 in the first set – he did not concede a single break point until 6-7 [6]5-5. There, trailing 0-40, he retained his aggressiveness from the baseline while relying on his commitment to dismiss the three, the last with a magnificent long-line backhand to confirm the ascendancy gained thanks to his first ball .
17 aces for and Penalty point for Wawrinka Wawrinka
Unfortunately for him, facing an excellent Cobolli starting with a winning return, he quickly fell behind 4-0 in the second decisive game. Then 5-2 before reducing the gap – 5-4 – and losing the last two points.
In the third set, a slight tone below the baseline and less on fire on serve, Wawrinka conceded the entry break. Enough to explode his racket after his opponent confirmed it, at 3-0. A second gesture of humor in this match which earned him a penalty point. But nothing enough to push him to give up.
At 6-7 [6]7-6 [4]4-2, the three-time Grand Slam winner got his first break points of the match. Three at once, leading 0-40. In vain. Opposed to a determined Cobolli, solid in important moments, he was unable to convert them.
I fall asleep watching his shots.
Flavio Cobolli, about Novak Djokovic
After a first opportunity flew away following an uncrossed forehand from the Italian catching the line, Wawrinka lost with a superb extension volley. Nice player, as always, he applauded. Before taking a winning serve on his third and final opportunity. The end of beans for him.
A few moments later, when serving for the match, Cobolli finished with a shutout to offer himself a prestigious third round against Novak Djokovic. His idol.
“He’s been my idol since I started playing Tennis, I grew up watching videos of his matches,” he said during the on-court interview. “And I keep falling asleep watching his shots. It’s great to be able to face him (for the first time).”
The other posters for the second round in Shanghai (Masters 1000, Qi Zhong Tennis Center, hard, 8,995,555 USD, results displayed from newest to oldest):
- Holger Rune (N.12) – Matteo Berrettini: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
- Marcos Giron – Karen Khachanov (N.24) : 6-4, 6-3
- David Goffin – Lorenzo Musetti (N.15): 1-6, 7-6 [6]6-2
- Frances Tiafoe (N.13) – Yi Zhou (WC) : 6-2, 6-4
- Grigor Dimitrov (N.9) – Zizou Bergs: 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
- Tallon Greek Spoor – Jordan Thompson (N.26): 6-3, 6-2
- Roman Safiullin – Alexander Bublik (N.23) : 6-4, 6-2
- Taylor Fritz (N.7) – Terence Atmane (Q) : 7-6 [4]7-6 [5]
- Alexander Zverev (N.2) – Mattia Bellucci (Q) : 6-4, 6-2
- Novak Djokovic – Alex Michelsen : 7-6 [3]7-6 [9]
- Alexei Popyrin (N.20) – Miomir Kecmanovic : 6-3, 6-2
- Jiri Lehecka (N.33) – Jaume Munar: 7-6 [6]6-4
- Jannik Sinner (N.1) – Taro Daniel : 6-1, 6-4
- Yosuke Watanuki (Q) – Brandon Nakashima (N.32) : 7-6 [4]6-3
- Alexander Shevchenko – Francisco Cerundolo (N.27) : 7-6 [7]7-5
- Jakub Mensik – Andrey Rublev (N.6) : 6-7 [7]6-4, 6-3
- Carlos Alcaraz (N.3) – Juncheng Shang : 6-2, 6-2
- Aleksandar Vukic (Q) – Casper Ruud (N.8) : 6-4, 6-4
- Yibing Wu (WC) – Nicolas Jarry (N.25) : 6-2, 6-1
- Daniil Medvedev (N.5) – Thiago Seyboth Wild : 7-5, 7-5
- Tomas Machac (N.30) – Alejandro Davidovich Fokina: 1-6, 7-6 [3]6-4
- Tomas Martin Etcheverry (N.31) – Botic van de Zandschulp : 7-6 [5]3-6, 7-5
- Roberto Carballes Baena – Arthur Fils (N.21): 7-6 [4]7-6 [5]
- Ugo Humbert (N.16) – Arthur Cazaux : 6-3, 6-2
- Matteo Arnaldi (N.29) – Zachary Svajda (Q): 6-7 [2]6-2, 6-4
- Stefanos Tsitsipas (N.10) – Kei Nishikori (WC) : 7-6 [6]6-4
- Gael Monfils – Sebastian Baez (N.22): 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
- Alejandro Tabilo (N.19) – Arthur Rinderknech : 6-3, 6-2
- Alexandre Muller – Felix Auger-Aliassime (N.18) : 6-3, 6-2
- Tommy Paul (N.11) – Fabio Fognini: 6-1, 6-3
- Ben Shelton (N.14) – Denis Shapovalov (Q) : 6-3, 7-5
Related News :