Flavio Cobolli powered into the Wimbledon quarter‑finals on 6 July 2026, dispatching fifth‑seed Alex de Minaur 7‑5, 7‑6(4), 6‑3 and then performing a Ronaldo‑style celebration that sent the crowd into a chant of “Siuuu”.
How did Cobolli dominate de Minaur?
Cobolli started the match with a blistering first‑serve percentage, landing 12 aces in the opening set. De Minaur struggled to find rhythm, his returns often falling short of the service line. Cobolli seized the break at 4‑4, then held to close the set 7‑5. The second set saw both players trade holds until 5‑5, when Cobolli saved a break point and forced a tiebreak. He clinched it 7‑4, showcasing a forehand that skimmed the line repeatedly. In the third, Cobolli broke early and never looked back, sealing the win 6‑3.
Why is the celebration drawing headlines?
After the final point, Cobolli dropped his racket, sprinted to the centre of the grass, and mimicked Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic jump‑and‑twirl. The English crowd, recognizing the move, shouted “Siuuu” in unison. Cobolli laughed, saying he once played soccer in Roma’s youth ranks and now feels a kinship with the Portuguese star. The moment went viral, highlighting his charismatic personality alongside his on‑court skill.
What does this win mean for Cobolli’s Grand Slam run?
The victory pushes Cobolli into the Wimbledon last eight for the first time since his French Open final appearance earlier this year, where he pushed Alexander Zverev to five sets. Reaching the quarter‑finals at the All England Club cements his status as a top‑10 contender and boosts his ATP ranking points dramatically. He now faces a potential semi‑final opponent who could be either a fellow seed or a dark horse, keeping the Italian fan base on edge.
Who else shone for Italy on the same day?
Jasmine Paolini also advanced, beating Alexandra Eala 6‑4, 4‑6, 6‑3 to return to a Grand Slam last eight for the first time since her back‑to‑back finals runs in 2024. Watching from the Royal Box was 19‑year‑old Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli, who later chatted with Paolini about his newfound F1 fandom. Meanwhile, defending champion Jannik Sinner prepared for his own quarter‑final clash, underscoring a day when Italian athletes dominated the Wimbledon narrative.
What’s next for Cobolli after this breakthrough?
Cobolli will have a day to recover before the quarter‑final match, scheduled for 8 July 2026. He hinted that beating a “stratospheric” player like de Minaur in straight sets gives him confidence for the next round. The Italian hopes to add another deep Grand Slam run to his résumé, potentially matching the achievements of past Italian greats on the grass courts.
Cobolli’s performance on 6 July 2026 not only delivered a decisive win but also captured the imagination of fans worldwide, blending athletic excellence with a splash of pop‑culture flair.