Roland Garros 2024: Berrettini’s Third-Set Collapse vs. Cerundolo & Cobolli’s Gritty Quarterfinal Run
PARIS — The clay courts of Roland Garros are witnessing two contrasting narratives today: one of heartbreak for Matteo Berrettini, the other of resilience for Lorenzo Cobolli. While the Italian veteran crumbled in a third-set meltdown against Francisco Cerundolo (6-3, 7-6(2), 2-4), Cobolli fought back from a set down to defeat Tomáš Svajda (6-2, 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(5)) and advance to the quarterfinals. Here’s the latest from Roland Garros, verified through official ATP and tournament updates.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Berrettini, ranked 19th in the world, was a break down at 3-4 in the third set before the match was suspended due to darkness. Cerundolo, the 134th-ranked Argentine, now holds a commanding lead—one that could mark the end of Berrettini’s Parisian campaign unless the Italian can summon a late rally. Meanwhile, Cobolli’s victory over Svajda (No. 101) sets up a potential clash with a top-10 opponent in the next round.
Why it matters: Berrettini’s exit would cap a frustrating tournament for the Italian, who has struggled with consistency on clay this season. For Cobolli, a 23-year-old rising star, this quarterfinal berth could be his biggest career achievement yet. The matchups ahead—if Berrettini survives—could feature a potential showdown with a seeded player, given the tournament’s draw.
Key Developments: Berrettini’s Struggle & Cobolli’s Breakthrough
- Berrettini’s collapse: The Italian’s third-set unraveling (2-4 down) follows a pattern of inconsistency on clay this year, where he’s won just 3 of his last 10 matches on the surface (ATP stats).
- Cerundolo’s rise: The 26-year-old Argentine has been the story of the tournament, defeating three top-30 players en route to this quarterfinal. His 7-6(2) second-set win over Berrettini was built on aggressive net play and 27 winners (Tennis Abstract).
- Cobolli’s grit: The Italian’s 6-7(3) loss in the third set to Svajda was saved by two match points in the tiebreak, showcasing his mental toughness. His 7-6(5) fourth-set comeback was his 12th career match win over a top-100 opponent.
- Next steps: Berrettini’s match resumes tomorrow at 11:00 AM CEST (if he survives). Cobolli’s potential quarterfinal opponent could be a top-10 seed, given the draw (official draw).
Berrettini’s Third-Set Nightmare: How Cerundolo Took Control
Berrettini’s 2-4 deficit in the third set is a stark contrast to his dominant first two sets, where he outplayed Cerundolo 6-3 and 7-6(2). The turning point came at 3-3 in the third, when Cerundolo broke Berrettini’s serve for the first time in the match with a well-placed inside-out forehand. The Argentine then held his serve to build a 4-3 lead, forcing Berrettini into a backhand slice that Cerundolo converted for the break.
Tactical shift: Cerundolo, known for his aggressive baseline game, adjusted his strategy to target Berrettini’s weaker backhand. According to FlashScore’s match stats, Cerundolo won 68% of his points on Berrettini’s backhand side in the third set. Berrettini, meanwhile, struggled with his return game, managing just a 29% return win rate in the set.
Berrettini’s clay curse: The Italian’s struggles on clay this season mirror his 2023 campaign, where he failed to advance past the fourth round at Roland Garros. His 2024 record on clay stands at 12-10, with only three wins over top-50 opponents (ATP results). If he loses to Cerundolo, it would mark his earliest exit from the French Open since 2019.
Cobolli’s Quarterfinal Berth: A Comeback for the Books
Lorenzo Cobolli’s 6-2, 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(5) victory over Tomáš Svajda was a testament to his resilience. The 23-year-old Italian, ranked 112th in the world, trailed 6-7(3) in the third set before saving two match points in the fourth-set tiebreak to seal the win.
Key moments:
- Cobolli’s forehand was his weapon, winning 72% of his first-serve points (Tennis Abstract).
- Svajda’s serve was broken twice, including in the decider, where Cobolli held his serve for the first time in the match.
- The match lasted 3 hours and 15 minutes, the longest of Cobolli’s career.
What’s next for Cobolli: His quarterfinal opponent is yet to be confirmed, but potential matchups could include a top-10 seed like Hubert Hurkacz (No. 9) or Lorenzo Musetti (No. 16), both of whom remain in the draw. A victory would propel Cobolli into the top 50 for the first time in his career.
Why Berrettini Struggles on Clay: A Pattern of Inconsistency
Berrettini’s third-set collapse is not an isolated incident. His clay-court form this year has been marked by inconsistency, with wins over players like Sebastian Korda (No. 21) followed by losses to lower-ranked opponents like Cerundolo. Here’s why:
- Serve-and-volley limitations: Berrettini’s game relies heavily on his powerful serve, but his net play has been ineffective on clay, where opponents like Cerundolo dictate rallies from the baseline.
- Return vulnerabilities: His return game has been exposed, particularly against aggressive servers like Cerundolo, who won 60% of his service points in the third set.
- Mental lapses: Berrettini has been criticized for his inability to close out matches, a trend that continued today with his 2-4 deficit.
If Berrettini is to salvage his tournament, he’ll need to adjust his tactics—perhaps by playing more defensively and targeting Cerundolo’s weaker backhand. However, with the match suspended, the Argentine will have time to strategize.
When to Expect Updates: Berrettini’s Resumed Match & Cobolli’s Quarterfinal Draw
Berrettini vs. Cerundolo: The match is scheduled to resume tomorrow, June 6, at 11:00 AM CEST. Official updates will be available on the Roland Garros live scores page and the ATP match tracker.
Cobolli’s quarterfinal draw: The full draw for the quarterfinals will be published by 1:00 PM CEST today. Fans can follow updates via the official tournament draw.
What’s your take? Will Berrettini rally from 2-4 down, or is Cerundolo’s quarterfinal spot secure? Share your predictions in the comments below or on our Twitter.
Follow World Today Journal for real-time coverage of Roland Garros, including exclusive interviews and tactical breakdowns. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s resumption of Berrettini vs. Cerundolo.