Italy has secured its place in the Davis Cup final once again, marking an impressive achievement as they aim for a third consecutive title. The pivotal moment came during the semifinal match on Friday, where Flavio Cobolli delivered a thrilling performance against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs. The match concluded with scores of 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (15), and featured an astonishing climax where Cobolli saved seven match points, showcasing remarkable resilience and determination.
In a match that will be remembered for its drama, Cobolli faced his share of adversity, having squandered six match points of his own before finally clinching victory. His emotional celebration saw him tear off his shirt in jubilation, sharing the moment with his teammates before offering comfort to a devastated Bergs, who was visibly upset on the sidelines.
The final set tiebreak, which ended 17-15, is noted as one of the most extended in Davis Cup history, emphasizing the intensity of the contest. “We fought for our country, for this win, but in the end, I realized my dream,” Cobolli remarked, underscoring the personal significance of the victory. “I played for all of my team, my family, and it’s one of the best days of my life.”
Earlier in the day, Matteo Berrettini also contributed to Italy’s success, defeating Raphael Collignon in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. This victory provided Italy with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie, thus nullifying the need for a doubles match to confirm their place in the final.
Italy is currently on an impressive 13-tie winning streak, setting up a final showdown against the winner of the semifinal contest between Germany and Spain, which was played without Carlos Alcaraz, the top-ranked player from Spain, due to injury.
Despite their defeat, both Belgian players showcased commendable skills, with Bergs, ranked No. 43 in the world, playing the match as if it were the defining contest of his career. From a balanced score of 3-3 in the second set tiebreaker, he found his rhythm and levelled up the match, putting immense pressure on his opponent.
The coaching staff, led by team captain Filippo Volandri, remained impressed despite the nail-biting finale. “In my five years as a captain, I’ve never seen anything like that. But this is what Davis Cup does. It was incredible,” Volandri said, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster it had been for the team. He added, “At the end, I told Cobolli, it’s 5% tactics and 95% heart.”
Berrettini controlled his match against Collignon with relative ease, exhibiting his prowess as the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up and a holder of ten singles titles on tour. After securing the first set, he quickly gained momentum in the second, rebounding after a brief hiccup where Collignon managed to break back. Ultimately, Berrettini sealed the win decisively, demonstrating his capability and experience.
The upcoming Davis Cup Final 8 represents the sixth iteration of this restructured tournament format, showcasing the competition’s best at a neutral venue. It remains to be seen who Italy will face, but with their current form, they are poised to face their opponents with confidence and ambition.
