London, July 7: In a thrilling day of tennis at Wimbledon, seasoned champion Novak Djokovic staged a signature comeback while rising star Flavio Cobolli announced his arrival on the Grand Slam stage with a career-defining win.
Djokovic, who looked out of sorts in the opening set against Australia’s Alex de Minaur, came from behind to seal a hard-fought 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory, booking a place in his 16th Wimbledon quarter-final.
Struggling physically and dropping the first set with barely a fight, the Serbian looked at his lowest, but true to his legend, he rallied back with trademark resilience.
In a match lasting three hours and 18 minutes, Djokovic absorbed the pressure, adjusted his game, and dismantled de Minaur’s challenge one set at a time, underlining once again why he’s a seven-time champion at the All England Club.
Meanwhile, on a neighbouring court, Flavio Cobolli continued to script his breakout year in style.
The 23-year-old Italian, who started the season with ATP titles in Bucharest and Hamburg, claimed a composed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-6(3) win over Marin Cilic to advance to his first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final.
Cilic, a former US Open champion and Wimbledon finalist, came into the match with a remarkable story of resurgence.
After a career-threatening knee injury in 2023 and a lengthy spell out of action, the Croatian had turned to extensive online research and eventually found a solution through surgery in the US.
Now ranked World No. 83, Cilic has clawed his way back from outside the top 1,000. But despite his determination and big-hitting prowess, he was outpaced by the youthful legs and sharp court sense of Cobolli.
The Italian, who had only played 14 main draw matches on grass prior to this tournament, stayed calm in crucial moments.
He dominated on return, remained consistent on serve, and outlasted Cilic in long rallies.
Even after losing the third set in a tie-break, Cobolli bounced back with poise, breaking Cilic in the fourth and sealing victory with nerves of steel.
An emotional Cobolli spoke after the win, calling it a dream come true. “You cannot imagine my emotion right now,” he said, as his family watched from the stands.
“My dad is crying, my brother too. This moment, I will never forget. And I hope I get to play on a big court next — I think I deserve it now.”
Indeed, he will. With a victory over a Grand Slam champion under his belt, the Italian is now just two wins away from a potential Wimbledon final, as Italian tennis continues its remarkable surge.
For Djokovic, the quarter-final marks familiar territory — a reminder that even on off days, the legend remains one of the hardest men to beat in tennis. For Cobolli, it marks the beginning of a new chapter — one that promises excitement, ambition, and plenty more to come.
As Wimbledon enters its decisive second week, Novak Djokovic’s grit and Flavio Cobolli’s emergence offer two contrasting but equally compelling narratives — one of enduring greatness, the other of fresh promise.
While Djokovic chases yet another title to add to his storied legacy, Cobolli’s fearless run signals the arrival of a new generation hungry for glory. (Agencies)
