Cobolli's resolve propels Italy to Davis Cup final

In the charged air of Bologna’s PalaDozza arena, two-time defending champions Italy pushed toward a third straight Davis Cup title with a semifinal victory over Belgium that blended raw emotion and tactical poise. The Azzurri, riding a 13-tie winning streak, leaned on their depth to claim a decisive 2-0 lead without invoking the doubles rubber. On the swift indoor hardcourts, where every rally echoed with intensity, the matches unfolded as tests of nerve under national spotlight.

Cobolli survives epic tiebreak battle

Flavio Cobolli opened the proceedings against Zizou Bergs, the No. 43-ranked Belgian who channeled career-defining fire despite lacking tour-level titles. The Italian, seeded No. 22, seized the first set 6-3 through deep crosscourt forehands that forced Bergs into defensive lobs, exploiting the surface’s low bounce to keep points short and controlled. Yet Bergs leveled in the second at 6-7(5), firing a backhand down-the-line winner from 3-3 in the tiebreak to stretch Cobolli’s volleys wide and claim the set.

The decider turned into a grueling affair, with Cobolli squandering six match points before Bergs carved out seven of his own, each saved amid swelling crowd chants that rattled the Belgian’s focus. Cobolli adjusted by mixing slice backhands to disrupt rhythm, drawing Bergs forward into vulnerable passing-shot setups, while his one–two serve-forehand combinations pinned the opponent deep. The final-set tiebreak dragged to 17-15—the sixth longest in Davis Cup history—ending when Cobolli’s service winner clipped Bergs’ frame, prompting the victor to tear off his shirt in exultation before consoling his weeping foe.

“We fought for our country, for this win, but in the end, I realized my dream,” Cobolli said. “I played for all of my team, my family, and it’s one of the best days of my life.”

“In my five years as a captain, I’ve never seen anything like that. But this is what Davis Cup does. It was incredible,” team captain Filippo Volandri said. “At the end, I told [Cobolli], it’s 5% tactics and 95% heart.”

Berrettini anchors with steady power

Earlier, Matteo Berrettini set the tone by dismantling Raphael Collignon 6-3, 6-4, his 10 tour titles and 2021 Wimbledon final run shining through in a display of controlled dominance. The Italian held firm in the opener on his booming serve, breaking the No. 86 Belgian with an inside-out forehand that exploited tentative returns and turned defense into offense. Collignon fought back to 2-2 in the second after an early break, but Berrettini’s deeper crosscourt backhands absorbed the aggression, forcing errors on the indoor surface that favored his topspin depth.

Berrettini sealed the match on a love hold, unleashing unreturnable serves that underscored Italy’s edge in power and experience against unproven opponents. His poise conserved energy for the squad, highlighting the blend of veteran savvy and youthful fire that has sustained their streak across varied ties. This straight-sets win provided the buffer Cobolli could build upon, transforming potential pressure into unassailable momentum.

Three-peat dream faces final test

Italy now awaits the outcome of Saturday’s Germany-Spain semifinal, where the latter fields a depleted lineup without injured No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, tilting the scales toward a favorable matchup on these neutral indoor courts. The Final 8 format, in its sixth edition, intensifies the stakes at a single venue, where legacy hangs on every point amid the do-or-die atmosphere. Cobolli’s heart-driven escape and Berrettini’s efficiency embody the Azzurri’s resilience, forged in a season of unrelenting expectations.

As the champions reflect on this Bologna triumph, the path to a three-peat gleams brighter, with their tactical adaptability and unbreakable spirit poised to etch another chapter in Davis Cup lore. The final promises a clash of wills, where Italy’s streak could extend into history under the weight of their own ambition.