Flavio Cobolli said sealing Italy’s place in the Davis Cup final was “one of the best days of my life” after he saved seven match points to win a dramatic 32-point tie-break against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.
Cobolli tore off his shirt in celebration as a party atmosphere erupted among the home support in Bologna once the 23-year-old took his seventh match point to prevail 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (17-15) after more than three hours.
Following the thrilling conclusion, which stands as the sixth-longest tie-break in the Davis Cup’s 125-year history, two-time defending champions Italy will face Spain or Germany in Sunday’s final.
Amid the pandemonium, Cobolli comforted Bergs as his distraught opponent sat on the Belgium team bench with his head in his hands.
Speaking in his on-court interview, world number 22 Cobolli said: “It’s really tough to say something about this match.
“We played for our countries and fought a lot for this win. In the end, I realised my dream, and we are now in the final.
“I played an amazing match against a great opponent. I played for all of [the supporters], for all of my team, my family, for me. It is one of the best days of my life.”
Italy team captain Filippo Volandri said: “In my five years as captain,n I have never seen something like that.
“It was an unbelievable match. At the end, I just said [it was] 5% tactics and 95% heart. This guy gave everything he had – I am really proud.
“We have an unbelievable bench. Matteo [Berrettini, Cobolli’s team-mate] lost his voice.
“But it is not the last match. We celebrate tonight, and then we focus on the final.”
Berrettini once again gave Italy the perfect start as, backed by the majority of a passionate, sell-out crowd of 10,000 fans, he overpowered Raphael Collignon in straight sets.
With Cobolli’s victory, Italy have become the first nation to reach three consecutive Davis Cup finals since Australia in 2001.
Despite the absence of their top two men’s singles players – world number two Jannik Sinner and eighth-ranked Lorenzo Musetti – Italy will now seek to become the first nation to win three consecutive Davis Cup titles for 53 years.
It would be the longest spell of dominance in the competition since the United States won their fourth title in a row in 1972.
