Machac outlasts Cobolli in sudden death, clinches UTS Guadalajara semi-final spot

Tomas Machac secured his semi-final spot UTS Guadalajara when he defeated Flavio Cobolli on Day 2 of the competition at the Centro Panamericano de Tenis on Saturday afternoon.

It was a back-and-forth affair the whole way, as Machac prevailed 21-10, 11-19, 19-15, 12-21, 2-1. Sudden death was required after the two players split the first four quarters, and the “Air Machete” had to save one match point early in extra time after Cobolli opened with a huge forehand. “Il Gladiatore” netted a forehand on his match point and did the same one point later to end the proceedings.

Sudden death goes to the first player who wins two points in succession.

“So, more work to do on Sunday then,” an exhausted Machac said when told that he has already qualified for the semi-finals. “I was thinking I would have a day off, but okay. It [came down to] just one ball — a very weird match.”

Machac is 2-0 after also beating David Goffin on Friday. Cobolli, who got the best of Jake Mensik in his first match, is 1-1. It will be Cobolli vs Goffin for the other semi-final spot out of Group B, while Mensik is eliminated.

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