ATP
Cobolli into first final as compatriot withdraws minutes before semi
Flavio Cobolli will play in Sunday’s French Open final after compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew minutes before their semi-final was due because of a virus.
The good mates were due to meet in the last four tonight for a place in a first Grand Slam final.
However, Arnaldi’s withdrawal was announced just 20 minutes before the players were due to step on Court
It puts world number 14 Cobolli straight through to Sunday’s Roland Garros showdown, where he will face second seed and title favourite Alexander Zverev.
Arnaldi had spent 19 hours and 42 minutes on court en route to the semi-finals in Paris – the longest anyone has played on their way to the last four of a major since 1991.
The 25-year-old – ranked 104th in the world – was due to play in his first Grand Slam semi-final.
Disappointed spectators will receive a refund.