Battling Cobolli sends holders Italy into final
Hosts Italy closed in on a third successive Davis Cup title as Flavio Cobolli saved seven match points to beat Belgium's Zizou Bergs in a thriller and seal a 2-0 semifinal victory on Friday.
A HOME FINAL IN BOLOGNA 🇮🇹🔥🇮🇹🔥
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 21, 2025
Italy are finalists once again! 😱#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/xiBo3aKpOb
The 23-year-old Cobolli, roared on by frenzied home support inside the SuperTennis Arena, clawed his way to a 6-3 6-7(5) 7-6(15) victory with the third-set tiebreak one of the best ever seen in the competition's rich history.
Both players produced some spellbinding tennis in a series of punishing rallies in the breaker with the big-serving Bergs looking as though he would extend the tie to the doubles.
But Cobolli, who also failed to convert his first six match points, would not be denied and eventually fired down an unreturnable serve to spark wild celebrations in the stands.
BREATHTAKING 😮💨🤯
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 21, 2025
Flavio Cobolli comes through a mammoth final set tiebreak 6-3 6-7(5) 7-6(15) to make it 2-0 🇮🇹#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/d4AtoX6lrh
Earlier, Matteo Berrettini powered past Raphael Collignon 6-3 6-4 to put Italy in front. It was Berrettini's eighth successive match win in the competition after he won all six he played last year as Italy retained the title.
Italy will try to complete the three-peat in Sunday's final against either Germany or Spain who face off on Saturday.
Should they prevail, they would become the first nation to win three successive titles since the Challenge Round was abolished after the 1971 event.
Advertisement