Cobolli quick off the mark, defeats Stricker in Next Gen Finals
Flavio Cobolli got his campaign in Jeddah off to an impressive start
Flavio Cobolli continued an impressive week for Italy in the showpiece occasions, beating Dominic Stricker 4-2, 3-4 (7), 4-1, 4-2 in their Next Gen ATP Finals opener.
In a match that lasted one hour and 37 minutes, Cobolli clocked up 25 winners – 16 coming off the forehand – and 25 unforced errors. His serve was firing, with six aces and 75 per cent of points won on first serve. More pertinently, in a match where Stricker actually won more individual points, he took four of his five break point chances.
“I played a very good match here,” he said afterwards, adding with a smile: “The courts are so fast, but I am faster! The conditions here are fast but I can play them.”
The two have not met in singles play previously, but know each other well, having partnered each other to the 2020 Roland-Garros boys’ doubles title.
Stricker is the only player in the field who has competed at the Next Gen Finals previously, having reached last year’s semi-final.
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