LONDON, JULY 4, 2026 – Flavio Cobolli and Jasmine Paolini have reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon 2026. The Roman tennis player overcame Karen Khachanov after a marathon four-hour match, while the Italian number one dominated Maria Sakkari in just over an hour, confirming her excellent form on the London grass. Cobolli will now face Australian Alex De Minaur, while Paolini will face the Filipina Alexandra Eala, who was involved in the surprising elimination of defending champion Iga Swiatek.
Cobolli overtakes Khachanov after four hours
Flavio Cobolli's match against Karen Khachanov was a two-faced affair. The Roman suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat in the first set, losing in just twenty minutes, but he fought back with determination. The second set went to a tie-break, won by the Italian 7-4. The third set also reached a deciding game, this time in favor of the Russian, who won 7-5, capitalizing on a double fault from the Italian. From that point on, Cobolli shifted gears. In the fourth set, he earned two breaks, prevailing 6-2, a result he then repeated in the fifth and decisive set. The final victory, achieved with a score of 0-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, secured the first-ever qualification to the round of 16 at Wimbledon.
Paolini dominates Sakkari
Jasmine Paolini also had a clean sweep, sealing the victory over Maria Sakkari with a convincing 6-1, 6-2. The 2024 finalist took control of the match from the start, quickly taking a 5-0 lead in the first set and leaving the Greek player with no chance of a comeback. The Italian maintained her dominance in the second set, closing out the match in just over an hour.
In the round of 16, challenges with De Minaur and Eala
In the round of 16, Cobolli will face Australian Alex De Minaur, while Paolini will face Alexandra Eala. The Filipina was the star of the day in the women's draw thanks to a straight-set victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek, who was eliminated 7-6, 6-2.
