Could Roland Garros be to blame? Mats Wilander defends Felix Auger-Aliassime after loss to Flavio Cobolli

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Felix Auger-Aliassime’s run at Roland Garros ended in the quarterfinals, as he was knocked out by Flavio Cobolli in four sets.

Despite several top seeds already out of the draw, Auger-Aliassime came into the match with full attention on Cobolli and looked solid early on.

But even after taking the first set, he couldn’t hold off a comeback from Cobolli, eventually losing 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

There was a shift early in the second set when organisers decided to close the roof because of high winds. Some felt that change played a part in how things unfolded.

The momentum did shift towards Cobolli once play resumed under the closed roof. But again, credit has to go to him for making the most of it and finding another level.

Cobolli now faces Stefanos Tsitsipas or Carlos Alcaraz next. He praised his opponent after a three-hour, eight-minute physical battle.

Mats Wilander thinks Felix Auger-Aliassime won’t be happy with the Roland Garros call

Wilander told TNT Sports: “I would be if I was Felix. He was winning and handling it better. I am sure he was not having a great time, and when you do close the roof, you know you are going to play better.”

“I am sure that scoreboard dictates how you feel at that moment, and he was winning. He was up a break in the second set, and then the match turned around. So, yeah, I think he will be [annoyed].”

Sabalenka went on to win 6-1, 6-3, advancing to the semi-finals. Notably, her match continued with the roof open despite similar conditions earlier in the day.

Roland Garros: Felix Auger-Aliassime falls to Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-final

Auger-Aliassime seemed to handle the blustery conditions better early on, taking an important lead after the first hour of play.

Even with the roof closed, he managed to build a 3-1 lead in the second set, showing why he’s known for playing well indoors. But from that point on, Cobolli started to take control of the match and kept pushing forward.

Cobolli will now face Matteo Arnaldi in what will be the first all-Italian men’s major semi-final in Grand Slam history.

Arnaldi advanced after Matteo Berrettini was forced to retire from their quarter-final due to injury. In the other semifinal, Alexander Zverev takes on Jakub Mensik.