Flavio Cobolli reaches all-Italian semi

Flavio Cobolli reached the French Open semifinals on Wednesday, beating fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris. The 10th seed recovered after dropping the first set and closed out the match in four sets to make his first Grand Slam semifinal. (rolandgarros.com) The result also ensured that an Italian man will play in Sunday's final at Roland-Garros. Cobolli's next opponent is fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi. ### How did Cobolli turn the match after losing the first set? Wednesday's quarterfinal began in blustery conditions before the roof was closed with light rain outside, according to Roland-Garros. (olympics.com) Cobolli lost the opening set 6-4, then took the next three by the same scoreline to end Auger-Aliassime's run in Paris. The ATP said Cobolli broke new ground with the victory, calling it his maiden major semifinal at Roland Garros. Roland-Garros said the 24-year-old denied Auger-Aliassime in a come-from-behind win under the roof on Philippe-Chatrier. (rolandgarros.com) ### Why is this semifinal drawing so much attention in Italy? ESPN reported that Cobolli will meet Matteo Arnaldi in the first all-Italian men's semifinal in Grand Slam history. The result guarantees one Italian man a place in the French Open final, a notable development in a draw that no longer includes Jannik Sinner or Lorenzo Musetti. (rolandgarros.com) Italy has not had a men's French Open champion since Adriano Panatta in 1976, ESPN reported. The same report said Cobolli comes from Rome's Tennis Club Parioli, the same club as Panatta. (atptour.com) ### How did Arnaldi get into the semifinal? Matteo Arnaldi advanced when Matteo Berrettini retired with a left hip injury while trailing 7-5, 5-2 in their quarterfinal, ESPN reported. That result completed the all-Italian semifinal lineup later Wednesday. The official Roland-Garros results page lists Cobolli and Arnaldi on the same side of the draw and confirms the semifinal pairing. (espn.com) The other men's semifinal will feature Alexander Zverev against Jakub Mensik. ### What does this run mean for Cobolli personally? Roland-Garros said Cobolli's win over Auger-Aliassime sent him into his maiden Grand Slam semifinal. (espn.com) Tennis Majors also described it as his first top-10 win at a major, though that detail was not independently confirmed from primary tournament data in the search results. ANSA quoted Cobolli after the match as saying, "It's the best week of my life, I'll have to fight again." (espn.com) That comment came after his deepest run at a major tournament. (rolandgarros.com) ### When is the all-Italian semifinal and what comes after it? Olympics.com said the men's singles final is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, meaning the semifinals will be played before then at Roland-Garros. ESPN and Associated Press reporting published through ESPN said Cobolli and Arnaldi are due to meet on Friday for a place in the final. (rolandgarros.com) Friday's match between Cobolli and Arnaldi will decide which Italian reaches the championship match in Paris. Sunday's final at Roland-Garros will produce a first-time men's Grand Slam champion, Olympics.com said. (olympics.com) (ansa.it)