There was also Jannik Sinner among the spectators of the challenge between Flavio Cobolli (n.49 in the ranking) e Hubert Hurkacz (no. 9 in the world), valid for the first round of ATP500 tournament in Halle (Germany). The South Tyrolean (no. 1 in the ranking) also loves to follow other people’s matches, especially if it is a match involving two guys that he knows quite well, taking into account the doubles that Jannik will play with Hurkacz on German grass.
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Well, Hubi’s greatest propensity for this surface was seen in a match in which Cobolli nevertheless showed great determination and desire to fight. The top-10 prevailed over the score of 7-5 7-6 (2)making a difference above all with service and putting the young Roman tennis player in difficulty when he played with the second serve. It will therefore be the No. 5 seed who continues and awaits the outcome of the match between the Brazilian in the round of 16 Joao Fonseca (wild card) and Australian James Duckworth (qualified).
In the first set we continue no use until the sixth game. The first serve stutters in Cobolli’s turn and Hurkacz, with some returns in the blue’s strings, creates the break. However, Flavio reacts with great character and, surprisingly, finds a way to get back into the running, placing the immediate counter-break. The Bel Paese’s class of 2002 tries to put pressure on him in response, but he is the one who struggles the most because he is not supported by an effective service. Having canceled a set point in the tenth game, Cobolli had to give in in the twelfth with a score of 7-5.
In the second set the plot is always the same. Hurkacz goes like a train in his shifts at bat, not giving Flavio a chance. He tries to do the same as the Italian, but is forced to cancel two match balls in the twelfth game. The passers who allowed the number 49 in the ranking to reach the tie-break were splendid. In this circumstance, however, the difference between the two is evident. Serving is Hubi’s extra weapon, as he scores aces and winning serves. Cobolli can’t reply and the curtain falls on the score of 7-2.
Reading the statistics, there is the emblematic figure of the 19 aces scored by the Pole, with 75% of the first ones on the pitch and 80% of the points won, while with the second the efficiency level stood at 59%. Flavio wasn’t as efficient, seeing 55% of firsts in the designated rectangle from which he collected 75% of fifteens.
