SPORT
Three Italian Men Reach French Open Quarterfinals Without Sinner
Berrettini, Arnaldi and Cobolli advance despite top-ranked Sinner's second-round exit, marking a historic moment for Italian men's tennis.
Tobia Marenghi1,247 wordsEdition №9Tuesday, 9 June 2026 — Edition № 9

Three Italian men reached the French Open quarterfinals this week for the first time in the tournament's history, according to reporting from Greenwich Time and AP. Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi faced each other in the night session on Wednesday, guaranteeing at least one Italian in the semifinals, while Flavio Cobolli was set to meet Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in another quarterfinal. The achievement is remarkable given that top-ranked Jannik Sinner was stunned in the second round.
Sinner's early exit might have been expected to derail Italian hopes at Roland Garros. Instead, the depth of Italian men's tennis has proven resilient. Berrettini, a former finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open, has rebuilt his career after injury. Arnaldi, younger and less decorated, has steadily climbed the rankings. Cobolli, at 22, represents the next generation. Together, they have created a moment that reflects a shift in Italian tennis beyond any single player.
The quarterfinal matchup between Berrettini and Arnaldi carried particular weight. One Italian would advance to the semifinals, ensuring representation at the tournament's later stages. The other would fall, but the fact that both had reached this point underscored the breadth of Italian talent. For a nation that has long relied on individual champions, this collective achievement signals a deeper strength in the sport.
