Wimbledon 2026: Cobolli defeats De Minaur, Fery and Keys in action on day eight – live

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Wimbledon 2026: Cobolli defeats De Minaur, Fery and Keys in action on day eight – live | Wimbledon 2026

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Paolini hadn’t won more than two matches in a row in 2026 before this tournament, partly because of a persistent foot injury, but she’s made it four in a row here and it’s an Italian double after Cobolli’s win only minutes before. After the exits of Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina and Anisimova at the weekend, opportunity awaits for all the remaining women in the draw, but Paolini will have an extremely tough assignment in the quarter-finals against the increasingly impressive Marta Kostyuk, who won earlier.

“I played very few matches the last few months. But game by game, point by point, I was feeling better on these courts. Sometimes with grass you can love it, you can hate it, but ]when it’s going well] it’s the best surface to play on. There have been tough moments, but we kept working, and I’m feeling better.”

Eala is given a standing ovation as she departs, which is no less than the smiling assassin, who took out Iga Swiatek in the previous round, deserves. But Paolini’s smile is as big as Centre Court as she acknowledges the crowd, before speaking. “It’s great. Stepping on this court is something special, it’s something else, and I feel so lucky to get this win. I want to thank you as well Roger [for watching from the Royal Box] because he’s my idol, I was watching all the finals he played here, so it’s an amazing feeling.”

Paolini beats Eala 6-4, 4-6, 6-3!

Apologies for the sparseness of the entries, I’m still having big problems with the wifi. Which comes at the inopportune of times, because Paolini is serving for the match, having broken Eala for 5-3 when Eala hit beyond the baseline on a second break point. After all of Paolini’s struggles to replicate that breakout season of 2024, can the 30-year-old actually get this done? Yes, because from 30-all, Eala errs with two backhand errors and Paolini is into a grand slam quarter-final for the first time since she reached the final here two years ago! Eala’s incredible run is over, but the Filipino trailblazer has broken new ground this fortnight and will no doubt break even more in years to come. She’s too good not to.

Jasmine Paolini celebrates beating Alexandra Eala on Centre Court. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianShare

Updated at 11.19 EDT

“I’m very happy to win in three sets,” he replies. “This year is so hot, thanks for coming today and staying. There’s a lot of respect for Alex. We had a little chat at the break [when the spectator was receiving medical help].”

And how will he celebrate tonight? “Ice cream and pasta. My dad will cook. I also want to see Spain v Portugal. I hope I can go early to the house but we have to find one because we don’t have a house.” He doesn’t quite elaborate on why – maybe he didn’t expect to get so far – but I think 12,000 fans on No 1 Court would happily leave the grounds right now, hot foot it home and offer him theirs.

Updated at 11.04 EDT

De Minaur departs No 1 Court, and he’ll be hugely disappointed by the way he let that third set get away from him from 3-1 up and that he couldn’t push Cobolli more, in a match that many thought would go the distance. He does, at least though, have his wedding to the British No 2 Katie Boulter to look forward to, which is believed to be taking place this month.

As for Cobolli, he no doubt snatches another towel or two or three or four, as he has been throughout the tournament, Swiatek style, and is then asked how relieved he is to win so comfortably after a five-setter in the previous round.

Updated at 10.59 EDT

Cobolli defeats De Minaur 7-5, 7-6, 6-3!

Ach. Two double faults from De Minaur and the Australian has handed over a break – and possibly with it the match – to Cobolli, who’ll now serve for a place in the quarter-finals for the second successive year. Cobolli, with feet even quicker than the very speedy De Minaur’s, charges to 40-15 and two match points – before literally jumping for joy not once but twice when he seals it with an unreturned serve! He’s such an fantastico entertainer. Up next for Cobolli: Grigor Dimitrov or Britain’s Arthur Fery.

Flavio Cobolli jumps for joy after his victory over Alex De Minaur. Photograph: James Marsh/ShutterstockShare

Updated at 10.50 EDT

Thanks Daniel. I can reveal that Eala and Cobolli are performing far more speedily than my wifi; Cobolli holding for a 7-5, 7-6, 4-3 lead on serve, courtesy of his third straight game, and Eala advancing to 0-30 on Paolini’s serve. But Paolini rips through the next four points to extinguish any sense of danger. So it’s 6-4, 4-6, 3-2 to Paolini on serve and this decider couldn’t be more finely poised.

Ah, Katy has a slight wifi issue so, while she resolves it, I’ll let you know that Cobolli cracked another forehand winner for advantage, converted, and now leads 7-5 7-6 3-3.

Updated at 10.37 EDT

De Minaur just can’t play well enough for long enough to seriously inconvenience Cobolli and, at 15-40, his break is in jeopardy. But the Aussie is nothing if not a mongrel, and he fights his way to deuce as the camera cuts to his box where Katie Boulter, his fiancee, is in an England shirt. Meantime on Centre, Paolini holds for 2-1 in the decider, and to take you through that, here’s Katy Murrells; I’m off for some lunch.

Alex de Minaur with a backhand. Photograph: Marko Đurica/ReutersShare

Updated at 10.40 EDT

Now then. De Minaur raises two break points, and though the first is immediately reclaimed with an ace, when a longer rally ensues, for what seems like one of the first times in the match, it’s Cobolli who blinks first. Demon leads 3-1 in the third…

Eala makes 30-0, but a cunning wrong-footer from Paolini keeps her going. But a netted forehand has the youngster raising arms skywards, two set-points to the good; she burns the first, but takes the second when Paolini can’t exploit a slow second serve and, at 4-6 6-4, we’ll now enjoy a decider. And as for Cobolli, he once again ups his level when he needs to – he’s so brilliant at that – breaking De Minaur back to lead 2-0 2-2.

Alexandra Eala races for a backhand. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianShare

Updated at 10.30 EDT

Paolini holds for 6-4 4-5, forcing Eala to serve for a decider; I’m expecting an epic struggle in the next game. Watching Cobolli, meantime, I’m reminded of Juan Martin del Potro, not in terms of his overall game but the take-back and follow-through on his fflat orehand – there’s a dismissiveness in the action, and a whipcrack echo, that they both share. De Minaur leads 2-1 in the third, with a break; Cobolli by two sets to love.

Just as I’m about to muse, while stroking my chin of course, that Cobolli hits as hard and flat as Demon, but also has the option of air and top, the Aussie, up break point, crunches a gorgeous forehand winner of which anyone would be proud. He leads 1-0 in the third, Cobolli by two sets to love, while Eala consolidates, under pressure, and is now a game away from forcing a decider at 4-6 5-3.

It’s a long, long way back for De Minaur now; I’m afraid he’s just a less good version of the same, Cobolli stronger, tougher and as mobile. Meantime on Centre, Eala has broken Paolini to trail 4-6 4-3, meaning she’s two holds away from a dscider.

De Minaur serves into the net so Cobolli comes in, punishing the second serve for 7-5 6-6 6-3, but the first of three set points is saved … then the Italian unloads on the forehand till his opponent can’t take any more, and Cobolli, down 2-5 not that long ago, takes the second set to lead 7-5 7-6.

Three holds open the breaker, Cobolli up 2-1, then De Minaur stays back when he might come in and pays the penalty for his negativity, netting to cede the mini-break. Cobolli, though, then goes long, so they turn around at 3-3. Then, when they come back, the Italian opts not to attack a loopy ball till it lands, then swivels into a majestic forehand winner, the damage compounded when Demon overhits a backhand to lead 5-3. He’s two points from 2-0, and it’d be a mighty long schlep back from there.

Flavio Cobolli with his eye on a shot. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPAShare

Updated at 10.17 EDT

Paolini is so sold, breaking back and holding for 6-4 3-2; Cobolli holds to earn a second-set breaker and, if he can win this, he’ll be in a great spot.

Mertens thanks everyone for coming and making an amazing atmosphere. The whole match was nerve-racking and Bouzkova played an amazing grass-court season so came in strong. She’s been to four fourth rounds without making the quarters but she’s there now – she’s got to be 30 to reach the last eight.

It was also difficult because it was windy, but she’s glad she was able to close out the match and now has a lot of confidence. She’s taking ti all in, trying to enjoy it, and that’s about it.

Eala breaks Paolini – she’s been threatening – for 4-6 2-1, while Cobolli again holds; he leads De Minaur 7-5 5-5. So, while we’ve got a few seconds, let’s listen to what Mertens has to say…

Elise Mertens (25) beats Marie Bouzkova (21) 6-4 6-4

A huge and deserved win for Mertens, who meets Keys or Noskova next.

Mertens marches on! Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 09.52 EDT

Cobolli just has a little more than De Minaur, his serve stronger, his forehand harder and his attitude more dominant. He breaks back, and looks able to up his level when the match demands it of him, while his opponent is fully extended just trying to keep pace.

Bouzlova holds, so Mertens must now serve for the match at 6-4 5-4; Cobolli also holds, so De Mianur must now serve for the second set … and two winners mean he’s down 0-30.

Paolini knows just a bit too much for Eala, coming back from 0-40 to hold for 6-4 1-0. The Filipina is hitting it harder than before, but she’s not slicing much to vary angle and depth, allowing her opponent to plant feet and thwack. Meantime, De Minaur holds for 0-1 5-2 and he’s now in the ascendanc, though we’ve seen Cobolli have down periods in matches he goes on to win – most recently, against Khachanov on Saturday.

Alexandra Eala is struggling against Jasmine Paolini. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianShare

Updated at 09.46 EDT

Bouzkova is giving it everything but Mertens wins a 21-shot rally for 6-4 4-3 40-15 – with a net cord! – and from there, she closes out the hold. She’s a game away from the last eight.

De Minaur holds then an error from Cobolli gives him 0-15; by the standard, this feels like a chance. At 15-all, though, someone else in the crowd has a problem, so there’s another pause which diverts my eyes to Centre where Eala. having worked so hard to force her way back into the set, hits long at 30-all to hand over set point, then swipes wide. That’s such a waste, but Paolini is delighted and leads 6-4.

De Minaur badly needs a break-back and makes 0-40 then allows Cobolli 30-40, but a colossal forehand is then backed up with a fine volley, taken from below the level of the tape. So Cobolli leads 7-5 2-2 while, on Centre, Eala is turning up the power, breaking back Paolini for 4-5; Mertens leads Bouzkova 6-4 3-2, with a break

Serving for the set at 5-3, Paolini finds herself down 15-30 thanks to a cunningly disguised drop, then Eala looks to collar a second serve, but can’t get over her shot. No matter, she’s into herself now changing pace and, in the process, inciting Paolini to overhit … but break-back point is quickly saved, the set still in the balance at 5-3, deuce. And have a look! Eala creates a glorious angle swipe a backhand winner cross, breaking the sideline, but she can’t convert.

Paolini’s not had the best season but she’s playing well here, holding for 5-2 in the first – Eala is playing better now – while Cobolli might just have De Minaur’s number, making 30-all then reading him at net to send a backhand winner down the line. Break point, though, is saved, but another is along immediately afterwards … forsaken when the Italian swings a forehand fractionally long. But he’s returning well, hitting a testing length with consistency, and De Minaur needs to get through this period because he’s second-best at the moment. He saves a further break point, then Cobolli skips around his backhand to punish a forehand winner down the line before, during another long exchange, it’s once more the Demon who errs, dropping long, and he’s in big, big trouble.

Jasmine Paolini with a forehand to Alexandra Eala. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianShare

Updated at 09.25 EDT

A key moment on No2, Bouzkova up break-back point, and you feel she really must take it … which she does when Mertens nets a backhand to lead 6-4 1-1. Back on No 1, De Minaur cruises to a hold with a service-game he’d love to have played the one before last, and Cobolli does likewise to lead 7-5 1-1.

Updated at 09.19 EDT

Mertens is all over Bouzkova now breaking her for 6-4 1-0 and, if she can consolidate here, she’ll take some stopping. On Centre, meantime, Paolini leads Eala 4-2 in the first.