Shocking Withdrawal at Roland Garros Semifinals
Arnaldi’s Last‑Minute Virus
Just half an hour before his semifinal match against Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi told tournament officials he could not play. A sudden virus left him feeling sick, unable to keep food down, and forced him to withdraw.
What He Said at the Press Conference
Arnaldi looked disappointed and said:
- “It’s not the way I want to finish the tournament.”
- “Yesterday I felt unwell and had a very bad night, vomiting several times.”
- “I haven’t been able to eat anything all day, and if I eat now I’m sure it will make me sick.”
- “It’s really hard to say goodbye to my first Grand Slam semi‑final like this.”
The Road to the Semifinal
Marathon Matches and Hours on Court
To reach the last four, Arnaldi fought through grueling battles:
- Four‑set wins over Griekspoor and Tsitsipas
- Five‑set thrillers against Collignon and Tiafoe
- A quick set versus an injured Berrettini
All together he spent 19 hours and 42 minutes on the court during the week.
Key Wins Along the Way
Each victory showed his determination and stamina, turning heads and building excitement for a possible all‑Italian final.
What Happens Now?
Cobolli Advances to the Final
With Arnaldi’s withdrawal, Cobolli moves straight to the championship match without playing the semifinal.
Looking Ahead to the Zverev Showdown
Cobolli will now face Alexander Zverev in the final. The two have already met twice this season:
- Cobolli beat Zverev in the Hamburg final.
- Zverev won their encounter in Madrid.
The upcoming match promises a high‑level clash, even though the Italian duel fans hoped for won’t happen.
Conclusion
Arnaldi’s sudden illness is a tough break for the young Italian and for tennis fans who wanted to see an all‑Italian semifinal. His hard‑fought journey to the last four shows his talent and resilience. Now Cobolli gets a chance to chase the title, setting up an exciting final against Zverev. We wish Arnaldi a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on court soon.
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