Flavio Cobolli made an unusual request during his quarter-final at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday, ordering M&M's to the court as he battled for a comeback win.
The Italian lost the first set to Tommy Paul but recovered and raced into a 5-2 lead in the second set, when he suddenly received a pot of M&Ms during the changeover. It gave the No. 7 seed the boost of energy he needed, and he went on to claim a 2-6 6-3 6-4 comeback victory to reach a Masters 1000 semi-final for the very first time in his career.
Commentators react to unusual delivery
Cobolli came through a tight game to lead 5-2 in the second set, saving a break point to extend his lead. While sitting at his bench, a court attendant came over with two pots filled with M&M's.
“Well, a special delivery. M&M's. I think he had the option there of peanut or regular. He’s gone for the regular,” commentator Mikey Perera said. Barry Cowan replied: “I can’t believe that. I’ve never seen that. Have you ever seen that before?”
Jill Craybas, who was sitting courtside, added: “Just the instant sugar that you need for some energy.”
Why M&M's over espresso?
Some players have ordered coffees or energy drinks to the court for similar reasons. Earlier this week, commentators were left baffled when Amanda Anisimova drank what looked like beer from a plastic cup mid-match, before realising it was a RedBull that had been poured out.
Cowan was surprised that the Italian hadn’t taken the caffeine route. “You’d be going for the espresso, wouldn’t you? Maybe the dehydration is an issue,” he said.
As Cobolli got up at the end of the changeover, Perera added: “Perhaps the Italian with a bit more energy now after the delivery of M&M's at the change of ends.” And he did find some extra energy, going on to force a decider before he got the job done in three sets.
Cobolli explains his choice
Afterwards, the French Open finalist explained that he’d asked for chocolate during doubles matches in the past, and would now consider doing it more often in singles. But he had a specific reason for choosing M&M's.
“I felt a little bit tired and, you know, I need some energy, some sugar, and I love M&M's. Chocolate with colours makes me happy in the match,” he laughed. “I usually have in doubles, but I tried also singles and it worked, so maybe also next time.”
The No. 7 seed is now through to his first Masters semi-final, where he faces Arthur Fils. Cobolli has played four three-setters in a row in Cincinnati, and said: “The change is not easy. Every match is different, every set is different, and I’m really proud of myself about how I managed all the difficulties today. I’m proud about my game, about my mentality, and about also my team that is always important all my life.
“It’s a good practice for before the US Open. I think my shape is 100 per cent. Still, of course, I have to recover. Maybe tomorrow I go play golf a bit to lose the focus, and then again, again, I’m ready, and I’m going to fight again.”
