Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Berrettini powered Italy into a third consecutive Davis Cup final on Friday in Bologna, with Cobolli capping the tie with a breathtaking, career-defining performance to seal a 2-0 victory over Belgium.
Berrettini gave Italy the perfect start, showcasing control and experience in a composed 6-3, 6-4 win over Belgium’s Raphael Collignon. The former World No. 6 extended his personal Davis Cup singles winning streak to seven matches, underlining his importance to Italy’s title defence.
But the night belonged to Cobolli.
Inside a roaring SuperTennis Arena, the 23-year-old delivered one of the most dramatic Davis Cup wins in recent memory, saving seven match points in a nerve-racking 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(15) triumph against Zizou Bergs. The deciding-set tie-break stretched into a marathon, with Cobolli fending off all seven match points before finally clinching victory and triggering bedlam in the stands.
“It’s really tough to say something about this match,” Cobolli said, still overwhelmed. “We fought for our country, for this win, but in the end I realised my dream. We are in the final now… I played for all of my team, my family, and it’s one of the best days of my life.”
The Italian ripped his shirt apart in celebration as the arena erupted. The win also served as personal revenge: Bergs had handed him his only Davis Cup defeat during last year’s round-robin stage. Cobolli now leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 2-1.
Italy, the two-time defending champions, have now become the first nation to reach three straight Davis Cup finals since Australia in 2001. They await the winner of Saturday’s semi-final between Spain and Germany, both of whom advanced through tight doubles deciders.
Riding a 13-tie winning streak, Italy will now aim to become the first country to claim three consecutive Davis Cup titles since the United States in 1971.
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