Italy’s Flavio Cobolli celebrates profitable his match towards Austria’s Filip Misolic. Photograph: REUTERS
BOLOGNA:
Italy will face Belgium within the semi-finals of the Davis Cup after profitable each of Wednesday’s singles matches towards Austria in entrance of an enthusiastic crowd in Bologna.
Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli claimed straight-sets victories, making mild of the absences of star gamers Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti.
Sinner and Musetti withdrew from Italy’s title defence on house soil however the Azzurri had been dominant even with out two gamers ranked on this planet’s prime 10.
Former Wimbledon finalist Berrettini, who was key to Italy retaining the Davis Cup final yr, comfortably noticed off Jurij Rodionov 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) in a single hour and 35 minutes.
Berrettini went 5-2 down within the second set which was interrupted for half an hour because of an issue with the lighting within the area.
However the injury-prone 29-year-old rattled off three video games, saving three set factors to attract degree at 5-5 earlier than happening to win the tie-break and put Italy forward within the tie.
“I am actually pleased with how the boys managed the 2 matches,” stated crew captain Filippo Volandri.
“It is not information that Matteo has this character, he is made to play in these competitions… to search out options in troublesome moments.”
Cobolli, ranked 22 on this planet, made quick work of Filip Misolic, beating Austria’s highest ranked participant 6-1, 6-3 to safe Italy a spot within the final 4.
The 23-year-old, who received his first titles in Hamburg and Bucharest this yr, breezed previous Misolic in little greater than an hour to the enjoyment of the vast majority of the ten,000 followers current in northern Italy.
“It is undoubtedly one of the best day of my life,” stated Cobolli.
“I’ve all the time dreamed of carrying this jersey and enjoying for Italy, for the lads over there (his teammates), my household and my crew.”
Italy profitable the 2 singles matches meant Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori didn’t play their doubles match towards Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler.
The semi-final line-up will likely be accomplished on Thursday when Argentina face Germany and Spain tackle the Czech Republic with out world primary Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew with a hamstring harm on Tuesday.
