Flavio Cobolli achieved a remarkable feat on Friday night, propelling Italy into the Davis Cup final with an electrifying win over Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in a dramatic semifinal clash held in Bologna. The Italian ace secured victory after a grueling battle that lasted over three hours, finally converting on the 15th match point opportunity to emerge victorious with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(15).
The match showcased intense moments as both players demonstrated resilience, with each saving seven match points. Cobolli’s determination was particularly evident in the third set, where he trailed in the tiebreaker. After fending off multiple match points, he ultimately clinched the match with an impressive service winner at 16-15 in the tiebreaker. This thrilling encounter not only defined the individual matchup but also sealed the tie for Italy, who had already taken the lead thanks to Matteo Berrettini’s parallel win against Raphael Collignon, 6-3, 6-4.
In an on-court interview following his gripping performance, Cobolli expressed his deep emotions, saying, “It’s really tough to describe this match. We competed for our country, and I fought hard for this win. This moment fulfills my dream; we’re headed to the final. I played an amazing match against a tremendous opponent.” The pride in his voice was palpable as he acknowledged the support of his teammates and family, adding, “It’s one of the best days of my life.”
Italian captain Filippo Volandri praised both players for their efforts, stating, “We witnessed two great competitors representing their country. Both delivered an extraordinary performance. Only one could emerge victorious, and thankfully, it was us.”
With this victory, Italy is set to contest the final against either Germany or Spain on Sunday. The Italian team is in pursuit of a third consecutive Davis Cup title, having triumphed in both 2023 and 2024 during the tournament’s finals held in Malaga, Spain. As the anticipation builds for the final, all eyes will be on Italy as they aim to continue their impressive run in this prestigious competition.
