Two-time defending champion Italy kicked off its 2025 Davis Cup Finals campaign with a 2-0 sweep of Austria in front of the home crowd on Wednesday afternoon in Bologna.
Matteo Berrettini got the quarterfinal proceedings started with a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over Jurij Rodionov. The former world No. 6 came back from a break down in the second set and also battled out of a 0-40, triple-set point hole while serving at 4-5. Flavio Cobolli followed suit and provided the clinching point with a 6-1, 6-3 rout of Filip Misolic.
The Italians will go up against Belgium in the semifinals on Friday. Belgium defeated France 2-0 on Tuesday. Despite not having the services of world No. 2 Jannik Sinner this time around, the host nation will be a considerable favorite over a Belgian side consisting of Zizou Bergs and Raphael Collignon.
“I was really happy to step on court,” Berrettini commented. “I was really happy actually to be called first, then to come here, enjoy this atmosphere, the team, teammates, my good friends. It’s just so special for me.
“In [the 4-5] game, I would say I’m wise enough tennis wise to know that games like that can happen. With my serve, I can hold regardless of the score. I told myself to take one point at a time. I served well. I think I was really clutch. I’m glad for that.”
In the bottom half of the bracket, it’s Germany vs. Argentina and Czechia vs. Spain on Thursday.
nice one, Italy