Sawt Falasteen - Zverev, Cobolli targeting rematch at Wimbledon

Former Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini faces Marta Kostyuk in the women's last eight looking to continue her return to form.

AFP Sport looks at the quarter-final action on the 10th day of the tournament (x denotes seeding):

Flavio Cobolli (ITA x9) v Arthur Fery (GBR)

Fery leads head-to-head 1-0

-- Cobolli impressed in a straight-sets victory over fifth seed Alex de Minaur in the fourth round, reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals for a second straight year.

The Italian is hoping to actually play in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time, after his last-four opponent, Matteo Arnaldi, withdrew injured in Cobolli's maiden last four appearance at the recent French Open.

Cobolli lost the Roland Garros final in five sets to Zverev and could face the German again in the semis in London.

He was not anticipating another deep run at the start of the tournament, needing an Italian family to "give him a house in Wimbledon" after not booking his original accommodation for long enough.

Cobolli will be a heavy favourite against British wildcard Fery, the lowest-ranked man to reach the quarter-finals since Nick Kyrgios in 2014.

But world number 114 Fery won their one other meeting in this year's Australian Open first round, his only previous match win at a Grand Slam.

"I played really well in Australia," said Fery. "Felt like I dominated the match. So we'll use that experience for Wednesday."

Taylor Fritz (USA x6) v Alexander Zverev (GER x2)

Fritz leads head-to-head 10-5

-- Zverev has followed up winning his maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros by reaching his first-ever Wimbledon quarter-final.

But the second seed may not be the favourite against big-serving American Fritz, despite his excellent form.

Fritz has won their last seven meetings and boasts a strong grass-court record, playing in the last eight at Wimbledon for the fourth time in five years.

He lost in the semis 12 months ago to Carlos Alcaraz and will have high hopes of reaching a second Slam final and first since the 2024 US Open.

Marta Kostyuk (UKR x12) v Jasmine Paolini (ITA x13)

Paolini leads head-to-head 2-1

-- Paolini plays in her first major quarter-final since reaching the Wimbledon final two years ago, after an accomplished victory over Filipina rising star Alexandra Eala.

Paolini had struggled for form this season before arriving in London, and appeared to be slipping towards another early exit when she lost her first set of the tournament 6-0 to world number 195 Robin Montgomery.

The popular Italian will face a tough test against Kostyuk, who has translated her strong clay-court form onto grass after reaching the French Open semi-finals.

"I'm enjoying playing tennis. Of course, it's easier when you play well," said Paolini, who was also the runner-up at Roland Garros in 2024.

"But I think it's important to try to keep this mindset, even when things are tougher."

Linda Noskova (CZE x9) v Elise Mertens (BEL x25)

First meeting

-- Czech youngster Noskova has enjoyed an excellent grass-court campaign, matching her best run at a Grand Slam tournament after also winning her second WTA title in Berlin.

The 21-year-old is the highest seed left in her half of the draw after shock defeats for Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.

"It's very open. It's a Grand Slam. Everybody wants to have the best result in their career. Everybody wants to win it," said Noskova.

Belgium's Mertens is in her first Slam quarter-final since the 2020 US Open and hopes to match her run to the 2018 Australian Open semis.

B.AbuZeid--SF-PST