Italy powered into the Davis Cup semi-finals with an impressive victory over Austria, putting themselves within touching distance of becoming the first nation in more than half a century to win three consecutive Davis Cup titles.
Not since the United States’ streak of four straight trophies ending in 1972 has any nation achieved a three-peat. Now, after two commanding singles wins from Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli, Italy stand just two ties away from matching that monumental feat.
Despite missing their top two stars—Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, both ranked inside the world’s top 10—the Italians showcased depth, resilience and confidence as they extended their remarkable 12-tie winning streak in the Davis Cup Finals.
Berrettini Leads the Charge With Gritty Comeback
Former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini delivered a crucial opening victory, defeating Austria’s Jurij Rodionov 6–3 7–6 (7–4).
The world number 56 made a strong start, securing the first set with a single break of serve. But the second set offered far more drama.
After being broken for the first time and falling behind 5–2, Berrettini staged a determined fightback. The 29-year-old saved three set points, levelled at 5–5, and used his big-match experience to take control of the tie-break and close out the match in straight sets.
Afterward, Berrettini reflected on the privilege of representing Italy:
“When I play for my country, I think about winning the next point… fighting for my team-mates and everyone watching from home. It’s such a special honour.”
Cobolli Completes the Job With Dominant Performance
World number 22 Flavio Cobolli sealed Italy’s progression with an emphatic 6–1 6–3 win over Austria’s top player Filip Misolic.
The 23-year-old Italian, fresh from a breakthrough Wimbledon quarter-final run earlier this year, completely overpowered Misolic in a 30-minute first set featuring three breaks of serve.
Cobolli continued to dictate the match early in the second set, breaking for 3–0 and maintaining full control until the final point.
Echoing Berrettini’s pride, Cobolli said:
“We all want to win this cup. The support from the bench was unbelievable. Playing for Italy is something I cannot even describe.”
Italy March Into Semi-Final Clash With Belgium
With the 2–0 victory secured, Italy advance to face Belgium in Friday’s semi-final. Belgium opened their Davis Cup Finals campaign with a win over France and will now attempt to halt Italy’s long-running dominance in the competition.
Italy’s current 12-tie winning streak dates back to the 2023 group stages, underscoring their consistency and strength in team format play—even without all of their headline names.
Davis Cup Format Under Review Amid Star Absences
The tournament’s organisers confirmed this week that discussions are underway regarding potential future format changes—driven partly by the absence of several top-ranked players this year.
Italy are among the teams most directly affected, with Sinner—fresh off lifting the ATP Finals trophy—and Musetti both withdrawing to prioritise recovery over the sport’s short six-week off-season.
Still, Italy’s squad depth continues to shine. Their ability to win without Sinner and Musetti highlights just how strong their player development pipeline has become.
Looking Ahead in the Draw
As Italy prepare for Belgium, the other half of the Davis Cup bracket features:
- Spain vs Czech Republic
- Argentina vs Germany
(both ties scheduled for Thursday)
If Italy advance to the final, they will attempt to achieve a feat not seen in more than five decades—cementing their place among the greatest Davis Cup teams in history.
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