Berrettini ignites Italy's Davis Cup surge

In the pulsing heart of Bologna's SuperTennis Arena, Italy channeled the roar of a partisan crowd into a commanding quarterfinal victory over Austria on Wednesday, securing a fourth straight semi-final berth in the Davis Cup Finals. The two-time defending champions, buoyed by the electric atmosphere, showcased the poise of a team chasing history with a 12-tie winning streak now firmly in sight. Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli delivered the decisive blows, blending tactical adjustments with unshakeable resolve on the indoor hard courts.

Berrettini turns deficit into dominance

Berrettini, the former No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings, wasted little time asserting control in the opener against Jurij Rodionov, firing heavy topspin forehands down-the-line to break serve and claim the first set 6-3 after probing crosscourt rallies that exposed the Austrian's backhand vulnerabilities. The second set spiraled into uncertainty when lighting issues halted play, allowing Rodionov to build a 5-2 lead with deep returns that pressured the Italian's second serve into errors. Undeterred, Berrettini regrouped with a tightened one–two pattern—big serve into inside-out forehand—to erase the gap, then saved three set points at 4-5 through booming aces and net-rushing volleys that ignited the crowd's chants and swung momentum decisively.

That surge propelled him into a tie-break he dominated 7-6(4), where aggressive returns and a daring backhand flick in a pivotal rally silenced doubters and highlighted his mental edge forged from past comebacks. The moment, a flash of improvisational genius amid the arena's glare, not only handed Italy a 1-0 lead but echoed his flawless 6-0 record last year—five singles wins and one doubles—that anchored the title run.

That flick is OUTRAGEOUS, @MattBerrettini @DavisCup | #DavisCup | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/oeFNZ58R37

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2025

Cobolli channels energy into clinical win

With the tie hanging in the balance, Flavio Cobolli stepped up for his third Davis Cup rubber against Filip Misolic, harnessing the arena's fervor to unleash a barrage of baseline precision that overwhelmed the Austrian from the outset. He broke early in the first set with low slices drawing short balls for punishing inside-in forehands, racing to a 6-1 lead on a surface that amplified his flat backhand winners and kept rallies brisk. Misolic, outmatched in pace, faltered as Cobolli varied depths with underspin to disrupt footing, turning potential resistance into submission.

The second set tightened briefly, but the Italian's adjustments—mixing crosscourt angles with sudden down-the-line strikes—secured another break at 3-3, closing 6-3 amid a frenzy of home support that drowned out any hint of doubt. This assured performance, in just his nascent international outings, underscored Italy's depth and transformed a high-stakes tie into a procession, extending the streak while affirming the collective drive that dissolves individual pressures.

Semi-final clash sharpens title pursuit

As the echoes of victory reverberate through Bologna, Italy now pivots to Friday's semi-final against Belgium, where the indoor hard courts will again test serve holds and return aggression in a cauldron of renewed intensity. Berrettini's heroics against Rodionov's retrieval and Cobolli's poise over Misolic's inexperience reveal a squad attuned to the psychological rhythms of defense, ready to navigate fatigue from a grueling campaign. With a fourth Davis Cup crown in their sights, the champions carry forward not just momentum, but the intangible spark of a nation united in pursuit of glory.