Cobolli rallies past Kecmanovic to secure debut victory as Top 20 seed
Fresh off his maiden ATP 500 title in Acapulco, the Italian No. 15 seed overcomes a slow start to edge Miomir Kecmanovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the third round at Indian Wells.
Flavio Cobolli, 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
Flavio Cobolli confirmed his status as one of the tour’s most dangerous rising stars on Friday evening, surviving a physical baseline battle against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic (3-6, 6-3, 6-4).
The 23-year-old Italian, currently ranked at a career-high No. 15, needed exactly 1h58 to turn the match around. It marks his first career victory at the BNP Paribas Open and his first match since breaking into the world’s top 15 following his trophy run in Mexico last week.
What’s Next: A Collision with American Power
Cobolli’s win sets up a high-stakes round of 32 encounter against the winner of the all-American clash between Jenson Brooksby and the No. 21 seed Frances Tiafoe. A potential rematch with Tiafoe would be particularly significant, as Cobolli defeated the American just six days ago in the Acapulco final to claim his third career title.
The Turning Point: Return Pressure
The match hinged on Cobolli’s ability to solve the Kecmanovic serve after a one-sided opening set. While the 26-year-old Serb (ranked No. 58) dominated early by winning 80% of his first-serve points in set 1, Cobolli adjusted his return position in the second and third sets. The Italian eventually created 12 break point opportunities, converting the decisive one at 4-4 in the final set to serve for the match.
