Italy returns to the Davis Cup final after epic battle
Italy, the reigning champion, secured their place in the Davis Cup final thanks to an exciting victory by Flavio Cobolli over Zizou Bergs of Belgium. Cobolli won with partials of 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (15) in a dramatic match that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. The Italian tennis player managed to overcome after saving seven match points in a heart-stopping final tiebreak. After squandering six opportunities to close out the match, Cobolli finally secured the victory. The celebration was effusive, with the tennis player taking off his shirt and sharing the joy with his teammates. Afterwards, he went to console Bergs, visibly affected by the defeat. The tiebreak of the final set, with a score of 17-15, became the sixth longest in Davis Cup history.Cobolli’s victory secured Italy’s place in the final without the need to play the doubles match. Previously, Matteo Berrettini contributed to the Italian triumph by defeating Raphael Collignon with a score of 6-3, 6-4.We fought for our country, for this victory, but in the end, I realized my dream. I played for my whole team, my family, and it’s one of the best days of my life.
Flavio Cobolli
For Berrettini, it was a calmer match, securing the first set on his serve and sealing the victory with his first match point. The Davis Cup Finals 8 is the sixth edition of the renewed event, where the champion is defined at a neutral venue.In my five years as captain, I had never seen anything like it. But this is what the Davis Cup does. It was incredible. In the end, I told Cobolli, it’s 5% tactics and 95% heart.
Filippo Volandri
