![\"Flavio](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cobolli-delray-beach-2026-weds.jpg\")
<\/p>\n ATP Tour
\n Cobolli’s key to snapping losing run in Delray Beach: the power of The Hulk!<\/p>\n
Read how Cobolli’s tattoo of superhero commemorates his own role in Italy’s 2025 Davis Cup triumph<\/p>\n
February 18, 2026<\/p>\n
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BigShots Photo\/Delray Beach Open<\/p>\n
Flavio Cobolli defeats Terence Atmane 7-5, 6-4 at the Delray Beach Open on Wednesday.
\n By ATP Staff<\/p>\n
Flavio Cobolli<\/a>, feeling like a superhero at the Delray Beach Open<\/a>. <\/p>\n The third-seeded Italian celebrated his first ATP Tour win since 4 January on Wednesday by showing off his new tattoo to the crowd at the hard-court ATP 250 in Florida. Cobolli, who overcame Terence Atmane<\/a> 7-5, 6-4, was quick to attribute his victory to the distinctive green character now inked into his right leg: The Hulk. <\/p>\n “In Davis Cup [last year], you remember I [ripped] my t-shirt, so now I have Hulk,\u201d said the No. 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings Cobolli in his on-court interview. \u201cIt\u2019s fresh, like two weeks old. I felt like Hulk on the court [then], so now I have to be like him!\u201d <\/p>\n “I feel like Hulk on the court now” \ud83e\udd23\ud83d\udcaa\ud83e\uddb8\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/p>\n Italian superhero @cobollifla<\/a> has a new tattoo to share…#DBOpen<\/a> | \ud83d\udccdDelray Beach pic.twitter.com\/mCCda4gmim<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) February 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Cobolli\u2019s shirt-shredding celebration that inspired the tattoo came after he saved seven match points and won a 32-point deciding-set tie-break to overcome Zizou Bergs<\/a> and seal Italy a spot in November\u2019s Davis Cup Final, which the European country subsequently won. He showcased that sort of on-court grit again against Atmane on Wednesday by bouncing back from four consecutive defeats to set a quarter-final meeting with Coleman Wong<\/a>, who defeated Brandon Nakashima<\/a> 6-4, 7-6(4). <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my first win [for a while], so I\u2019m really happy to be in the middle of the court,\u201d said Cobolli after levelling his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Atmane at 1-1. \u201cIt was tough, the beginning of the year, but now I\u2019m really happy to be here at this fantastic tournament. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was a different result [to last time]. I lost to him last time with a great battle in Cincinnati. I practised well this week and felt comfortable staying on the court for a long time. I\u2019m really happy how I managed this first round against a tough opponent like Terence.\u201d <\/p>\n In other action, second seed Casper Ruud<\/a> fought off a stern test from Marcos Giron<\/a>, defeating the American 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4. Giron will rue being two points from victory at 6\/6 in the second-set tie-break.<\/p>\n \nRuud then built upon his momentum by breaking the American\u2019s serve in the opening game of the decider before sailing across the finish line. Playing in his first tournament since the Australian Open<\/a>, the 27-year-old improved to 3-2 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Giron and will now look to extend his perfect 2-0 record against Sebastian Korda<\/a>.<\/p>\n \nRuud is making his first appearance at the ATP 250 in Delray Beach, where the Norwegian arrived just weeks after he and his fianc\u00e9e Maria welcomed the birth of their first child, a daughter<\/a>.<\/p>\n You May Also Like: Ruud, new father, returns \u2018to win matches and see if I can play for more than myself\u2019 <\/a><\/p>\n Korda defeated countryman Alex Michelsen<\/a> 6-3, 7-6(6), saving four set points in the second set to avoid a decider and reach the last eight. The 25-year-old broke Michelsen at 4-5 in the second set, crucially getting back on serve after facing three set points in that game. Korda fended off another set point on return at 5\/6 in the tie-break.<\/p>\n \nKorda, the No. 50 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, is the second man to reach three tour-level quarter-finals this season, alongside Ben Shelton<\/a>. Korda reached the Delray Beach final in 2021.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n