Two-time reigning champions Italy head to their third straight Davis Cup championship match following a 2-0 victory over Belgium at the hands of Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli in Bologna on Friday.
They will face the winner of the clash between Spain and Germany in Sunday’s final.
Bidding to become the first country to win three consecutive Davis Cup titles in 53 years, the first on home soil, the tie between Italy and the 2017 finalist, Belgium, was marked by the players’ passionate spirit in representing their nations.
In vintage Davis Cup style, Cobolli lit up the crowd, who packed the Super Tennis Arena with a standout performance against Zizou Bergs.
The 23-year-old fended off seven match points in a final set tiebreak before clinching a monumental 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(15) win to make it 2-0 for his country in three hours and four minutes of pure adrenaline.
“It’s really tough to say something about this match…at the end, I realized my dream, we are in the final,” he shared courtside.
“I played an amazing match against an amazing opponent. I played for my team, my family, for me… It’s one of the best days of my life.”
Earlier, former top 10 Berrettini gave his nation a 1-0 lead, recording a statement 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Raphael Collignon, earning his 10th consecutive Davis Cup singles match win, his 8th at this year’s event.
The Roman native took control of the opener with his powerful serve and thunderous forehand, breaking early to build a solid 3-0 advantage en route to closing out 6-3.
Collignon dropped serve in the first game of the second set; however, he regrouped quickly to convert his first break in the match, tying the scoreline at 2-2.
Despite his efforts, his recovery attempt was short-lived, halted by the Italian, who, wearing his heart on his sleeve, fought off the world No. 86 to surge on top at 4-3.
From there, Berrettini took control, converting a break on his first match point with a hold to love, sealing the set 6-4 and the match in one hour and 29 minutes.
On Wednesday, both Italian players edged their Austrian opponents, advancing to the semifinals with straight-set victories, extending Italy’s winning streak to 12 ties.
“I personally find the best feelings when I play Davis Cup. I’m not talking about my game, but the pride of the team effort, the chemistry you build with your teammates,” the 29-year-old remarked at the venue.
“When you sing the national anthem, you’re there with your teammates. I think about when I was a kid watching them on TV, singing…
“That’s why I think it’s special to just believe in your dreams and keep working, because sometimes it happens. When it happens, you have to appreciate that.”
The 2021 Wimbledon runner-up is on a comeback path from injury, returning to tour-level competition for the Asia swing by mid-September, where he played for the first time since an early exit at the grass-court major late in June.
In the lead-up to his appearance at the competition, he reached back-to-back quarterfinals in Vienna and Metz, delivering his best tennis on home soil, representing his country.
Action continues on Saturday to decide the last spot in the final.
Germany, with world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in their field, beat Argentina to set up a blockbuster against Spain.
Meanwhile, David Ferrer’s squad toppled Czechia to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2019.
Both nations’ matches went down to the deciding doubles in relentless fashion.