“I’m feeling pretty good, actually,” he said, cheerily. “Obviously it was a question mark today, because I played two long matches in a row, but yesterday I didn’t play tennis. I just came here, did some physio and some stuff in the gym. Today I was feeling actually pretty good.I can’t complain.
“I have been playing a lot, but at the same time, I’m happy to be on court and to spend time on court, because I miss the playing. I for sure have some energy left for the next matches.”
Playing his friends in big matches is becoming a habit for the 25-year-old world No.104 (his career high is No.30 but injuries have knocked him back). The Italians are like a band of brothers and with 11 of them in the top 150, their paths cross regularly. He first met Cobolli in the junior ranks and they have been friends ever since.
“We are good friends,” Arnaldi said. “We practise a lot together. We played a lot since we were, like, 12, 11. We know each other very well.
“It’s going to be a tough one, obviously. We both played a lot. I played a little bit more, but I hope it’s going to be a good fight. But at the same time, I hope it’s going to be a good match to watch and to enjoy on court, as well, for both.”
And win or lose, Italy will get its finalist.
