Cobolli Conquers FAA for Maiden Major Semifinal at Roland Garros

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Photo credit: BMW Open Facebook

Skid marks scarred the red clay like routes marking a major map.

A driven Flavio Cobolli continued triumph trek across the terre battue toppling fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to surge into his maiden major semifinal at Roland Garros today.

A blustery wind prompted officials to close the retractable roof over Court Philippe Chatrier after the Canadian won the opening set today.

Beneath the closed roof, Cobolli elevated his level tearing through 13 consecutive service holds to defeat the US Open semifinalist for the third time in as many meetings.

“I think we played two different matches today. The first set was incredibly windy and tough to play,” Cobolli said. “I went to the toilet to think a bit and change something. This is the best court I have played on in my life because I can bring my best tennis.

“I said to myself to fight as I felt this would be the chance of my life and I have to give everything in my matches and today I did it.”

It is Cobolli’s first Top 10 win in a Slam as he becomes the seventh Italian man to reach a major semifinal and will debut in the ATP Top 10 on Monday

The 24-year-old Cobolli’s triumph means we will see the first all-Italian men’s Grand Slam semifinal in Open Era history. We will see an Italian finalist playing for a maiden major championship on Sunday though he’s not the Italian man many expected to play for the title after Italy’s top two stars bit the dust.

The tournament that began with 2025 semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti withdrawing due to injury then saw world No. 1 Jannik Sinner succumb to severe heat and left-hander Juan Manuel Cerundolo losing 18 of the last 20 games in a shocking second-round exit.

Last fall, Cobolli and childhood friend Matteo Berrettini led Italy to its third consecutive Davis Cup championship before passionate home fans in Bologna. Italy became the first nation to three-peat as Davis Cup champion since the United States won four in a row between 1968-1971. The Italians did it playing without their top two stars Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti.

On Friday, Cobolli will face an Italian Matteo, either Matteo Berrettini or Matteo Arnaldi, for a spot in Sunday’s final. 

Today, Cobolli’s serve, particularly his confounding kick serve on the ad side, not only saved him from break-point problems, it consistently set up his first strike.

The 10th-seeded Italian out-aced Auger-Aliassime 8 to 7 and saved 8 of 11 break points in this match.