Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Flavio Cobolli survived a huge scare at the US Open on Tuesday, fighting back from two sets down to defeat Francisco Comesana 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the second round in New York.
The fifth-seeded Italian looked in serious trouble after losing the opening two sets, with Comesana producing clean and aggressive tennis to put the French Open finalist under sustained pressure.
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But Cobolli gradually turned the match around. He began finding greater depth on his groundstrokes and forced Comesana to defend for longer stretches. The Italian took the third set before levelling the contest by claiming another set.
The deciding set remained tightly contested, but Cobolli held his nerve when it mattered most. He eventually completed the comeback after more than four hours, earning his first career Grand Slam victory after losing the opening two sets.
Cobolli will next face the winner of the first-round match between American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy and Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate.
FRITZ, KEYS KEEP AMERICAN HOPES ALIVE
Taylor Fritz had a much more straightforward evening on Arthur Ashe Stadium, cruising past fellow American teenager Darwin Blanch 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
The ninth seed, who reached the US Open final in 2024, controlled the match with his serve and baseline power. Fritz had entered New York after winning the Washington title and reaching the Cincinnati quarter-finals, strengthening expectations around his campaign.
Fritz will face the winner of the clash between Italy’s Mattia Bellucci and Hungary’s Zsombor Piros in the second round.
Madison Keys also avoided an early upset, defeating 19-year-old Russian Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4.
The 22nd seed had to overcome some early nerves, particularly after last year’s first-round exit at Flushing Meadows. Keys improved her first-serve percentage from just 48 per cent in the opening set to nearly 70 per cent in the second, allowing her to take control when the pressure increased.
Keys will meet either Czech qualifier Lucie Havlickova or Hungary’s Anna Bondar in Round 2.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
