Berrettini's marathon victory

Matteo Berrettini won the longest match of his career, battling for five hours and thirteen minutes to defeat Argentina's Francisco Comesana 7-6, 5-7, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in a dramatic contest on Court Simonne-Mathieu. The 30-year-old Roman saved two match points in the final-set super tie-break before finally prevailing 15-13, collapsing in exhaustion and joy after a match that featured 70 winners and 80 unforced errors. The victory marks Berrettini's first appearance in the Roland Garros fourth round in five years, a significant milestone after a series of injuries saw his ranking plummet from world number 6 to 105.

“I am so happy, and grateful to my incredible team. My family in the stands and the support under the heat, under the sun, we fought together. Thank you.”

Cobolli cruises, Arnaldi grinds

Flavio Cobolli, the tournament's number 10 seed, delivered a commanding performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier, dismantling American prospect Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in just one hour and 46 minutes. Cobolli, who reached the second week in Paris for the first time, will face another American, Zachary Svajda, for a place in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Matteo Arnaldi also advanced after a grueling five-set battle, defeating Belgium's Raphael Collignon on Court 14. The 25-year-old from Liguria, described as one of Italian tennis's most underrated players, used a combination of intelligence and heart to overcome the hard-hitting Belgian.

“I am very happy with my performance and the way I won. With the big names eliminated, there is an opening for everyone and everyone wants to take advantage of it. Dreaming is never wrong and many are dreaming here, and that is how it should be.”

A golden era without Sinner

The three Italians' progress comes as a partial consolation for the absence of world number one Jannik Sinner, who was eliminated earlier in the tournament. This is the seventh time Italy has placed three players in the Roland Garros fourth round, a feat not achieved since 2023 when Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, and Lorenzo Sonego reached the same stage. Italian media hailed the results as proof of a golden age for the nation's tennis, demonstrating depth beyond its top star.

“How do we maintain this level for so long? We train all the time, it would be strange otherwise.”

What comes next

Berrettini's reward for his marathon win is a fourth-round clash with another Argentine, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who himself survived a five-hour, 58-minute epic against Spain's Martin Landaluce—the third-longest match in Roland Garros history. Cerundolo, who had previously eliminated Sinner, is into the second week of a Slam for the first time. Cobolli will take on Svajda, while Arnaldi looks to continue his run deeper into the draw.

Emotional comeback

For Berrettini, the victory was as much a mental triumph as a physical one. After years plagued by injuries and a drop in the rankings, he admitted he did not expect to reach this stage. He spoke of staying present during the match, a contrast to past struggles where he felt he was fighting himself as much as his opponent.

“When I closed the match I was exhausted, physically and mentally. At the same time I was so happy. In the past you have often talked about my head, about those moments when I wasn't inside the match: well, today I was there, I was present.”