Cobolli Digs Deep to Claim Acapulco Semifinal Spot
Flavio Cobolli stared down eight break points and a wobbly serve to outlast Wu Yibing in Acapulco, his mental reset propelling a second-set surge that keeps his title chase alive on these sun-drenched courts.
Flavio Cobolli turned a shaky start into a statement win under the Acapulco lights, edging China’s Wu Yibing 7-6(4), 6-1 in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. The Italian, seeded fifth and the highest-ranked player left at No. 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings, saved every one of eight break points to reach his sixth tour-level semifinal. This marks his second straight last-four appearance, fresh off Delray Beach, as he hunts a third ATP Tour title on hard courts that reward his grinding baseline style.
Cobolli’s first serve landed just 49 percent of the time, yet he claimed 83 percent of those points—30 out of 36—by placing them deep and wide to stretch Wu’s returns. The 23-year-old faced six break chances in the second set alone, digging out of 15/40 holes in his final three service games after 1 hour and 35 minutes of tense exchanges. His fist pump at the finish rippled through the stadium, a release of the pressure building since his 2025 triumphs in Bucharest and Hamburg.
“I think when you don’t play like you want, but you still stay positive in your mindset—I think it’s great for me because it’s never happened in the past. So now it’s a little bit better, I’m very proud,” said Cobolli, who later will partner Grigor Dimitrov in the doubles quarterfinals. “I really appreciate my attitude on the court because it’s not easy to play against Wu and I think he deserved to win the first set. I put a lot of energy in my game and I think I played a really good second set.”
Mindset resets amid mounting pressure
The first set unfolded in grinding rallies, Wu’s crosscourt backhands forcing Cobolli into defensive slices that kept points alive but drained energy. Trailing 4-2 in the tiebreak, the Italian reset with deep breaths, firing an inside-in forehand to wrong-foot his opponent and steal momentum. This mental pivot, honed through a demanding schedule, turned potential frustration into focus, especially as the top seeds’ early exits left him carrying the draw’s weight.
Wu’s steady returns tested Cobolli’s serve protection, but the Italian varied his responses—mixing heavy topspin forehands with low backhand slices to disrupt rhythm. By staying positive despite the low first-serve clip, he avoided the collapses that plagued him earlier in his career. The crowd’s growing cheers fed his resolve, transforming the court into a shared battleground.
Break-point clinic flips the script
In the second set, Wu ramped up aggression, earning those six break opportunities as Cobolli’s delivery wobbled on the medium-paced hard courts. The fifth seed countered with down-the-line forehands off the return, approaching the net twice to volley crisply and end points sharply. Saving 15/40 three times in succession showcased his evolution, turning defense into a one–two pattern that overwhelmed Wu’s flat shots.
Once the momentum shifted, Cobolli broke serve efficiently, his deeper groundstrokes pinning the Chinese player back and opening angles for winners. The stadium’s energy peaked with each escape, the air thick with anticipation as the Italian dominated 6-1. This clinic on clutch moments positions him stronger for the semifinals, where consistency under fire will define his run.
Man on a mission
No. 5 seed Flavio Cobolli holds firm against Wu 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach his sixth tour-level semi-final. @AbiertoTelcel | #AMT2026 pic.twitter.com/KZKGRk3LeH— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 27, 2026
Semifinal test awaits on grippy courts
Next for Cobolli comes a clash with Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic or French lefty Terence Atmane, both threats who could exploit any lingering serve issues. Kecmanovic’s baseline steadiness might demand patience, while Atmane’s spin could twist angles on this grippy surface. With doubles duties alongside Dimitrov adding to his load, Cobolli’s positive edge keeps him as Acapulco’s man on a mission, eyeing that third title deeper into the week.
Man on a mission No. 5 seed Flavio Cobolli holds firm against Wu 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach his sixth tour-level semi-final. @AbiertoTelcel | #AMT2026 pic.twitter.com/KZKGRk3LeH— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 27, 2026
