Cobolli quick off the mark, defeats Stricker in Next Gen Finals

Flavio Cobolli continued an impressive week for Italy in the showpiece occasions, beating Dominic Stricker 4-2, 3-4 (7), 4-1, 4-2 in their Next Gen ATP Finals opener.

In a match that lasted one hour and 37 minutes, Cobolli clocked up 25 winners – 16 coming off the forehand – and 25 unforced errors. His serve was firing, with six aces and 75 per cent of points won on first serve. More pertinently, in a match where Stricker actually won more individual points, he took four of his five break point chances.

“I played a very good match here,” he said afterwards, adding with a smile: “The courts are so fast, but I am faster! The conditions here are fast but I can play them.”

The two have not met in singles play previously, but know each other well, having partnered each other to the 2020 Roland-Garros boys’ doubles title.

Stricker is the only player in the field who has competed at the Next Gen Finals previously, having reached last year’s semi-final.

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