Italy’s bench strength claims Davis Cup three-peat
In Bologna’s electric final, Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli stepped up without Jannik Sinner, delivering a 2-0 sweep over Spain to extend Italy’s reign in team tennis.
Bologna’s Unipol Arena thrummed with raw energy on a crisp November Sunday, the indoor hard courts ready for Italy’s push toward a third straight Davis Cup title. Without their world No. 2 leader, the Azzurri called on depth to face a resilient Spain, turning the final into a showcase of team resolve. Berrettini and Cobolli delivered straight-set wins, securing a 2-0 lead that clinched the trophy and marked Italy’s fourth overall crown.
Berrettini dominates with steady power
Matteo Berrettini took the court first, his serve booming against Pablo Carreno Busta on the quick surface. He broke early with sharp crosscourt returns that exploited any hesitation, taking the first set 6-3 after forcing errors in long rallies. In the second, Berrettini’s one–two combinations—flat serves wide followed by inside-out forehands—kept Spain pinned, wrapping up a 6-4 victory that eased the pressure on his teammates.
This win highlighted Italy’s preparation without Jannik Sinner, who chose to rest for next season’s challenges. Berrettini’s composure under the home crowd’s roar built on the team’s earlier 2-0 sweeps over Austria in the quarters and Belgium in the semis, proving their bench could handle the load.
Cobolli fights back in gritty decider
Flavio Cobolli followed with the tie on the line, dropping a quick 1-6 first set to Jaume Munar as deep topspin rallies exposed early footing issues on the hard court. He adjusted by mixing in underspin slices to disrupt the baseline flow, stealing the second set 7-6 (5) in a tense tiebreak with a clutch down-the-line backhand. The third set became a willpower test, where Cobolli saved key break points and broke at 5-5 with precise inside-in forehands, sealing a 7-5 escape that ignited the arena.
Munar’s clay-honed defense pushed the young Italian to his limits, but Cobolli’s tactical shifts echoed the squad’s week-long dominance. Spain, reaching their first final since 2019 without top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, couldn’t match the Azzurri’s adaptability in the absence of their own star.
Dynasty deepens without a single star
Italy’s three-peat places them in rare company, the last team to win three straight being the United States from 1968 to 1972. Sinner’s opt-out forced a broader reliance on the roster, transforming potential weakness into a unified front that outlasted opponents all week. As confetti rained down in blue and white, Berrettini and Cobolli lifted the cup, their triumph a blend of mental edge and surface savvy.
Looking forward, this depth sets Italy up for a fourth consecutive run, with Sinner’s eventual return adding firepower to an already formidable unit. The final’s intensity lingers as a reminder that in Davis Cup, collective grit often trumps individual flair.