Italy returns to the Davis Cup final after Cobolli’s epic victory
Italy, the reigning champion, has secured its place in the Davis Cup final. Flavio Cobolli starred in a memorable match by defeating Zizou Bergs of Belgium with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (15) in a semi-final full of drama. Cobolli, after wasting six match points, finally achieved victory for Italy. The celebration was effusive, taking off his shirt and sharing the joy with his teammates. Afterwards, he approached to console Bergs, who was visibly affected, and received support from his team. The tiebreak of the final set, with a score of 17-15, became the sixth longest in Davis Cup history.With this victory, Cobolli secured an insurmountable 2-0 lead for Italy, without the need to play the doubles match. Previously, Matteo Berrettini contributed to the Italian cause 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, Wimbledon runner-up in 2021 and with 10 individual titles to his name, the match was more comfortable. He secured the first set with his serve against Collignon. Although Collignon managed to break serve in the second set, Berrettini remained firm, achieving a crucial break to take the lead and seal the victory on his first match point. This edition of the Davis Cup Finals 8 is the sixth since the event was renewed, 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
