Cobol's just outside in Montreal, from Darderi the only blue smile

Flavio Cobolli was eliminated early from the Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal after losing in the second round to Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann. The 24-year-old Italian, ranked ninth in the world and seeded sixth for the clay-court event, fell to the 57th-ranked Hanfmann with scores of 7-6 (7-5) and 7-6 (7-2). Cobolli struggled throughout the match, finding himself down 4-1 in the first set and 5-2 in the second before managing to push both sets into tiebreaks. However, Hanfmann proved more composed in crucial moments, securing his fifth career victory over a top-10 player. The loss marked a difficult start for Cobolli, who had been considered one of the favorites heading into the tournament. His exit came alongside other notable upsets, including the early exits of Mattia Bellucci and Lorenzo Sonego. Bellucci lost to Argentina’s Facundo Baez in straight sets, while Sonego was defeated by the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor in two tightly contested sets. Among the Italian players, however, Luciano Darderi emerged as the lone success story. The 22nd-ranked Italian, seeded 19th, advanced to the third round after his opponent, Canadian Gabriel Diallo, retired due to a left-leg injury. Diallo was trailing 4-6, 3-2 when he withdrew from the match, allowing Darderi to secure a relatively easy win. Darderi will now face China’s Shang Juncheng, currently ranked 281st in the world. Cobolli's defeat was particularly disappointing given his high seeding and status as one of Italy’s top players. He had entered the tournament with expectations of performing well on hard courts, a surface where he has shown consistency in recent months. His inability to convert key points against Hanfmann highlighted the challenges he faces against lower-ranked opponents who have managed to rise through the rankings. Darderi’s performance, on the other hand, showcased resilience and composure under pressure. Having previously faced setbacks in his career, including injuries and inconsistent results, his ability to capitalize on Diallo’s withdrawal demonstrated his growing confidence and maturity on the court. His upcoming match against Shang Juncheng will provide further insight into whether he can maintain this momentum. The early exits of Bellucci and Sonego underscored the competitive nature of the tournament, where even higher-seeded players could find themselves facing unexpected challenges. Both players had entered the event with hopes of advancing deep into the draw, but their respective losses were indicative of the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam-level tennis. Cobolli’s departure from the tournament leaves Italy with fewer representatives in the later stages of the competition. With Darderi being the only Italian to reach the third round, the focus will shift to how he performs against Shang Juncheng. If Darderi continues to show the form he displayed in his opening match, he could yet make a deeper run than expected. Meanwhile, Hanfmann’s victory marks a significant step forward in his career. The German had previously struggled against top-10 opposition, but his performance against Cobolli suggests he is gaining confidence and improving his game. This result could boost his chances of climbing higher in the ATP rankings in the coming weeks. As the tournament progresses, attention will remain on the remaining Italian players and how they handle the pressure of competing on one of the sport’s premier surfaces. For Cobolli, the challenge will be to bounce back quickly and prepare for future tournaments, while Darderi aims to build on his current success and potentially extend his run in Montreal.