Cobolli Upsets Rublev in Beijing, Reaching Quarterfinals
BEIJING – Italian qualifier Flavio Cobolli scored a significant upset at the China Open on Thursday, October 3, 2024, defeating fifth-seeded andrey Rublev 7-6(4), 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals. The 26-year-old cobolli, currently ranked No. 62, delivered a composed performance to overcome the world No. 4 in just over 90 minutes.
This victory marks a career milestone for Cobolli, representing his first win against a top-five opponent and propelling him into the last eight of an ATP 500 tournament. The result is notably noteworthy as Rublev had reached the Beijing quarterfinals in 2023, and was considered a strong contender for the title this year. Cobolli’s win disrupts the seeded players’ path and signals a potential shift in the tournament’s competitive landscape. He will now face either Karen Khachanov or Borna Coric in the next round, with a potential semifinal berth on the line.
The first set was a tightly contested affair, with both players holding serve until the tiebreak. Cobolli demonstrated composure under pressure, securing the tiebreak 7-4 with aggressive baseline play and precise serving.Building on that momentum, Cobolli broke Rublev’s serve early in the second set and maintained control, closing out the match with a dominant display of groundstrokes and tactical awareness.
“I’m very happy with the performance today,” Cobolli said in a post-match interview. “It was a tough match against a great player, but I stayed focused and played my game.”
Cobolli’s unexpected run in Beijing comes at a crucial juncture in the season as players vie for ranking points and qualification for the ATP Finals in Turin. This result will undoubtedly boost his chances of climbing the rankings and potentially securing a spot in the prestigious year-end championship. Rublev’s defeat raises questions about his form heading into the final stretch of the season, as he aims to qualify for the ATP Finals for the fifth consecutive year.