Sydney, Dec 31
Flavio Cobolli bounced back from the verge of defeat on saving a match point and produced a memorable comeback as Italy sweeps France to book a place in the quarterfinals of the United Cup.
The Italian team defeated Frenchman Ugo Humbert with a score of 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-2. Humbert started strong, winning his first 17 service points in the second set and even served for the match at 6-3, 5-4 with a 15/0 lead. However, he was unable to convert a match point at 8/7 during the tie-break, which proved to be a costly mistake.
Italy went on to sweep the tie 3-0, following victories from Jasmine Paolini and the mixed doubles pair of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. With this win, Italy has secured the top position in Group D and will advance to the knockout stages of the mixed-teams event. France, on the other hand, needed to defeat Italy by a score of 3-0 to win the group.
In the mixed doubles match, Errani and Vavassori triumphed over Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Elixane Lechemia with a score of 6-3, 7-6. With Italy already safely through to the quarterfinals, world No. 4 Paolini faced no pressure as she entered the women's singles match. The 2024 Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist displayed calmness and composure, achieving a decisive 6-0, 6-2 victory over Chloe Paquet, which officially sealed Tuesday’s tie for the Italians.
Paolini has been impressive throughout the tournament, having dropped only four games in her two group-stage matches. She previously defeated former Top 5 player Belinda Bencic with a score of 6-1, 6-1 in her opening match.