Wimbledon, Sinner, Cobolli and Sonego win: the first time three Italians reach the round of 16

It is a grey and rainy day at Wimbledon, but not for three Italians who reach the round of 16 for the first time at the prince of Slams. It is not so for Jannik Sinner, who plays under cover on the roof-enclosed centre court and wins decisively against Pedro Martinez, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 in less than two hours of play. The world number 1 will now face Grigor Dimitrov (who defeated Austrian Ofner).

It was a match without history, the one against the Spaniard (52nd in the Atp ranking): the first set lasted 31 minutes (which also included a medical time out for a shoulder problem requested by Martinez). In the second set the match is more balanced, the exchanges become longer. Sinner missed a few too many forehands, the Spaniard took courage and showed himself at the net, he even had four break points to reach Jannik on 4 par... but then ended 6-3. In the third set, the Italian ran rampant, regained concentration and continuity, wasted two match points at 5-0, and then closed the score 6-1.

But it was a Sunday that we will not forget also for the successes of Flavio Cobolli who confirms himself in a great moment and wins against an opaque Jakub Mensik in three sets 6-2, 6-4, 6-2: for him it is the first time in the eighth round in a major, Marin Cilic awaits him. Extraordinary, then, Lorenzo Sonego's victory at the end of a five-hour marathon against the American Brandon Nakashima: five very intense sets, one of Lorenzo's battles that we have seen so many times, finished 6-7, 7-6, 3-6 and then at the super tiebreak of the fifth, played masterfully, 10-3. But this success is worth more, because it has the scent of the round of 16 at Wimbledon, won for the second time in his career. Now he finds Ben Shelton..

A pity for Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who struggled for almost three hours against Belinda Bencic (ranked 35th in the Wta ranking): the Swiss was 2-4 down in the third and decisive set, in which she only got the better of the match at the super tiebreak (10-7), after winning the first 6-4 and losing the second 6-3. The fine tournament played by the Marche player remains, who gains 18 places in the rankings and climbs to 98th position.

Nothing to do yesterday for Mattia Bellucci against Cameron Norrie: the Briton, solid and good at containing the Italian's impetuosity, won 7-6, 6-4, 6-3. Luciano Darderi also had to give way to Australian Jordan Thompson who prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.