Cobolli Seeks Revenge Against Blockx at Cincinnati
Listen to the story
Italian tennis player Flavio Cobolli is preparing for an important match at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournament in the United States.
Cobolli is currently the only Italian player still in the tournament. Several other Italians have already been eliminated, including Arnaldi, Berrettini, Bellucci and Darderi.
Today, Cobolli faces Belgian player Blockx in a match that fans are watching closely. Cobolli has lost to Blockx in a previous meeting, and he now hopes to get his revenge.
A win for Cobolli would keep Italian hopes alive in the tournament. As the last Italian player remaining, he carries extra pressure and attention.
The Cincinnati Masters is one of the most important tennis events on the ATP calendar, bringing together many of the world's top players before the US Open.
Fans in Italy can follow the match live today through Sky, which is broadcasting the tournament's schedule of matches.
Cobolli's performance will be watched not only for the result but also for what it might suggest about his form heading into the rest of the season.
Vocabulary6 words
- Masters 1000
- one of the most important levels of tennis tournaments
- eliminated
- removed from a competition after losing
- revenge
- trying to win after losing before
- ATP calendar
- the yearly list of official men's tennis tournaments
- schedule
- a list of times when matches will happen
- form
- how well a player is currently playing
Quiz
Answer key
1. He is the only remaining Italian player 2. Because he lost to Blockx before and wants revenge 3. Sky
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Italian tennis player Flavio Cobolli is preparing for an important match at the Cincinnati _____ tournament in the United States.
Cobolli is currently the only Italian player still in the tournament. Several other Italians have already been _____, including Arnaldi, Berrettini, Bellucci and Darderi.
Today, Cobolli faces Belgian player Blockx in a match that fans are watching closely. Cobolli has lost to Blockx in a previous meeting, and he now hopes to get his _____.
A win for Cobolli would keep Italian hopes alive in the tournament. As the last Italian player remaining, he carries extra _____ and attention.
The Cincinnati Masters is one of the most important tennis events on the _____, bringing together many of the world's top players before the US Open.
Fans in Italy can follow the match live today through Sky, which is broadcasting the tournament's _____ of matches.
Cobolli's performance will be watched not only for the result but also for what it might suggest about his _____ heading into the rest of the season.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think it matters to fans that Cobolli is the only Italian left in the tournament?
- What does 'revenge' mean in sports, and why might it motivate a player?
- How important do you think Masters 1000 tournaments are for professional tennis players?
- Would you watch a match if you knew the player had lost to their opponent before? Why or why not?