In a thrilling encounter at the Shanghai Masters 1000 tournament, Stan Wawrinka faced off against 22-year-old Flavio Cobolli, who emerged victorious with a score of 7-6, 6-7, 6-3. This match marked a poignant moment in tennis history, as it showcased the generational gap between the two players. The contest was tightly contested, but an officiating error proved pivotal. Chair umpire Carlos Bernardes mistakenly recorded the score as 0-15 after a break for Cobolli’s electrolytes, putting Wawrinka at a disadvantage.
Despite being 39 and not in his prime, Wawrinka’s skill and resilience shone through, echoing his remarkable journey in the sport. Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Wawrinka faced a Cobolli.
Twenty-one years ago, he was defeated by Flavio’s father, Stefano Cobolli, in the quarterfinals of the Brindisi Challenger tournament.
Reflecting on this cycle, Wawrinka said, “It’s surreal to compete against the next generation, especially someone whose father I once faced. Time flies, but I’m still here fighting.” This latest loss highlights Wawrinka’s enduring presence in tennis, a testament to his talent and determination. As he competes against younger players, he continues to inspire, proving that champions like him leave a lasting legacy across generations.
Stan Wawrinka in 2024
Ranked world no.236, Wawrinka played his last match on the 7th
of October when he lost to world no.30 Flavio Cobolli 6-7(6) 7-6(4) 6-3 in the 2nd round in Shanghai (draw).This season Stan achieved an overall 7-16 match record.
He is also scheduled to play in Stockholm (BNP Paribas Nordic Open) on the 14th of October and Basel (Swiss Indoors Basel) on the 21st of October.
Flavio Cobolli in 2024
Currently the world no.30 (career-high), Cobolli played his last match on the 8th of October when he capitulated to world no.4 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-2 in the 3rd round in Shanghai (draw).
Currently, during this season Cobolli achieved an overall 42-28 record. Flavio Cobolli’s best achievement of the current season was getting to the final in Washington.
Stan Wawrinka and Flavio Cobolli played each other only once. Their actual head to head record is 1-0 for Cobolli. When they played, Flavio Cobolli won 6-7(6) 7-6(4) 6-3 in the 2nd round in Shanghai (Shanghai Rolex Masters) on the 7th of October 2024.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.