In a thrilling conclusion to the Davis Cup Finals, Flavio Cobolli etched his name in Italian tennis history with a remarkable comeback victory, securing the clinching point against Spain on a dramatic Sunday evening in Bologna. Cobolli’s triumph, which ended with a scoreline of 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-5, showcased his resilience as he overcame a challenging first set and a break in the second to lead Italy to a 2-0 victory over their Iberian rivals.
The 23-year-old faced an uphill battle in the opener, where he struggled to find his rhythm and dropped the first set in just over half an hour. However, a determined Cobolli regrouped and broke back early in the second set, subsequently powering his way to a tiebreak where he demonstrated his tenacity and skill. After leveling the match, both competitors held their serves until the tense moments at 5-5 in the final set, where Munar faltered. Cobolli seized the opportunity, holding his nerve to serve out the match and clinch the championship for Italy, marking their third consecutive Davis Cup title.
The Italian campaign was initially set in motion by Matteo Berrettini, who delivered a solid performance earlier in the day, defeating Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Berrettini’s serve was unassailable; he hit an impressive 13 aces and did not face a single break point throughout the encounter, effectively setting the tone for the Italian team’s success.
Reflecting on his monumental achievement, Cobolli expressed a whirlwind of emotions, saying, “It’s impossible to describe this feeling. I dreamed a lot for this night. I played an amazing match today. I don’t know how I won. The match was tough. Jaume played so good… We cannot lose for our country. Sometimes you learn, but you never lose if you give all you have in your heart… I don’t know what I did today; I don’t know where I am. The only thing I know is that I’m world champion.”
Cobolli’s resilience was on full display throughout the week, as he fought back from seven match points down against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in a gripping three-hour encounter on Friday before narrowly defeating Munar in just under three hours, demonstrating both his stamina and focus under pressure.
With a flawless singles record of 6-0, Cobolli and Berrettini’s efforts meant that the doubles pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori did not need to see court time, underscoring the dominance of the Italian squad.
While Jannik Sinner, the world No. 2, skipped the competition this year, his previous leadership in Italy’s success in 2023 and 2024 remains a testament to the country’s strength in the prestigious tournament. As Italy celebrates its latest triumph, the future of the team looks bright, fueled by the drive of its emerging talents like Cobolli and the proven experience of players like Berrettini.
