Italy's resolve shines without Sinner in Davis Cup quarters

In the vibrant pulse of Bologna's Unipol Arena, Italy's Davis Cup quest hummed with intensity on a crisp Wednesday evening. Two-time defending champions and top seeds, they chased a third straight title without their cornerstone, four-time Grand Slam champion Jannik Sinner, who had steered them to glory in 2023 and 2024 but chose to rest this final stretch. The indoor hardcourt gleamed under lights, its steady bounce favoring the baseline battles that defined the tie against No. 12 Austria, a foe they'd bested in five of six prior clashes since that lone 1990 quarterfinal upset in Vienna.

Berrettini's grit turns the tide

Matteo Berrettini opened the rubber against Jurij Rodionov, the 177th-ranked Austrian whose flat strikes tested the Italian's serve early. Trailing 5-2 in the second set, Berrettini rallied with a break in the ninth game, stepping inside the baseline to redirect crosscourt forehands and disrupt Rodionov's rhythm. He then repelled three set points in the tenth, mixing underspin slices to vary pace with deep returns that forced errors, before claiming the 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory on his first match point in the tiebreaker.

This hard-fought win, laced with the crowd's rising cheers, highlighted Italy's psychological edge—their 12 straight ties since the 2023 group-stage loss to Canada now extended under pressure. Berrettini's big first serve, clocking over 130 mph, won 80 percent of points and set up one–two combinations that pulled Rodionov wide, opening angles for inside-out winners. The momentum shifted palpably, easing the weight on the home side as the arena's energy swelled.

Cobolli's dominance clinches the sweep

Flavio Cobolli followed, facing Filip Misolic in a clincher that showcased Italy's depth. The Italian dismantled his left-handed opponent 6-1, 6-3 in 65 minutes, probing with inside-out forehands to stretch the court before unleashing down-the-line backhands that left Misolic chasing shadows. He sealed it with a service winner, the ball's thud echoing as the crowd erupted, rendering the doubles unnecessary in this best-of-three format.

Cobolli's tactics thrived on the surface's predictability, using crosscourt patterns to exploit Misolic's second serve and low-bouncing slices to keep rallies short. This efficiency, born from a season of adaptations, underscored a team resilient beyond their absent ace. With the 2-0 victory locked, Italy's composure reflected the mental fortitude forged through trials, their streak now a testament to collective resolve.

Semifinal stakes rise on Friday

The Bologna leg of the Davis Cup Final 8, in its sixth year of neutral-site finals, now turns to Friday's semifinal against Belgium, where Italy eyes a fourth overall crown. Their path demands further tactical tweaks against a varied Belgian lineup, building on the indoor hard's demands for precise adjustments. Meanwhile, Thursday's quarters feature Spain, hampered by No. 1-ranked Carlos Alcaraz's hamstring withdrawal after his ATP Finals runner-up finish to Sinner, against the No. 4 Czech Republic, and No. 2 Germany versus Argentina.

As the arena's lights cast long shadows, Italy's squad draws from this win's fire, the crowd's fervor a steady undercurrent propelling them forward. Each point ahead will test their blend of strategy and spirit, positioning them to etch another chapter in a legacy defined by unbreakable momentum.