Both Cobolli and Fils have an opportunity to make an impact this spring, with favoable possibilities to move up the rankings going into the year’s second major at Roland Garros. The French No. 1 exited in the second round at all three 1000-level events last year, though did win the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Bordeaux. Cobolli fell in the first round of Monte Carlo qualifying and went a combined 3-2 at Madrid and Rome prior to his Geneva semifinal showing.
Against Griekspoor, mental fortitude was the difference maker for Fils. After seeing all eight break points go to waste and missing four set points ahead of a disappointing tie-break, he seized control for a 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 victory.
“I was a bit frustrated, but I was able to relax after that and start off the second set better,” Fils said in a translation to national press.
“After losing the first, I thought, ‘well, this is clay, I have to be ready to play three hours.’ I didn’t play three hours, but almost. It’s good to have complicated matches at first so you can get into it.”
