Flavio Cobolli recovered from two sets down for the first time in his career and then told the US Open crowd he was "crazy" during his on-court interview.
The fifth seed in New York was at risk of following Novak Djokovic and Arthur Fils out in the first round after dropping the opening two sets of his match against world No. 119 Francisco Comesana. The Italian rallied from two sets down and from a break down in the decider to claim a 3-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory.
"I am also crazy"
Cobolli dropped to his knees and raised his arms in celebration before having some fun with the fans during his on-court interview. Emcee Kondo Simfukwe told him: "You are such a fun, dynamic, electric player to watch, which works out nicely, because the New York fans are fun, electric, dynamic. It's a match made in tennis heaven."
Simfukwe asked how enjoyable it was to bring the energy and get it back, and the No. 5 seed responded: "You forgot [an] important one. I am also crazy." He added: "So, I mean, it was really fun to play on this court. I always dreamt to play on this kind of stage, this kind of match, so every time that I have the chance to play on this court, I always put my heart on the court. I am like this, I am a warrior, and today everybody [saw]."
Bathroom break changed everything
While Simfukwe asked one final question, the 24-year-old started checking himself out on the big screen and fixing his hair. "You look fantastic. I mean, right?" the emcee asked as Cobolli jokingly blew a kiss on screen.
The French Open finalist revealed that everything changed when he took an off-court bathroom break at the end of the second set. "After two sets down, I went to the toilet and I changed everything," Cobolli said. "Because maybe it means unlucky, so I changed all the dress that I started with today and it worked. I mean, in a Grand Slam level, it's never done, and you have to fight until the last point. I have an incredible team that, today, helped me a lot, and maybe it's the key to looking forward for the next round also."
Next round opponent
Cobolli will now face Nishesh Basavareddy or Tristan Schoolkate in the second round. The Italian has never reached the second week in Flushing Meadows, but will sense a big opportunity with Jannik Sinner sidelined and top players like Djokovic and Fils losing early.
