Berrettini Steers Italy Past Austria, Advances to Davis Cup Semifinals
Defending champions Italy set to clash with Belgium this Friday
November 19, 2025
Image credit: Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images for ITF
Matteo Berrettini secures a straight-sets victory against Jurij Rodionov in Bologna.
Report by Jerome Coombe
Italy cemented its place in the Davis Cup semifinals for the fourth straight year on Wednesday, overpowering Austria with the fervent support of their enthusiastic home crowd and standout performances from Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli.
The dynamic atmosphere at the SuperTennis Arena in Bologna energized the two-time champions, who played with the confidence of seasoned pros.
Berrettini, a former world No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings, gave Italy an early edge, securing a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over Jurij Rodionov. The second set faced a brief interruption due to lighting issues, but Berrettini rallied back from 2-5 down, saved three set points at 4-5, and seized control, dominating the tie-breaker.
That flick is OUTRAGEOUS, @MattBerrettini 🤯@DavisCup | #DavisCup | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/oeFNZ58R37
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2025
Cobolli then stepped in and delivered an impressive 6-1, 6-3 victory over Filip Misolic in just his third Davis Cup match, igniting a wave of excitement among the home fans. With this win, Italy extended its streak to 12 consecutive ties and set the stage for a semifinal showdown with Belgium on Friday.
As Italy hunts for its fourth Davis Cup title, Berrettini’s impact remains crucial. Last year, he achieved an unblemished six wins—five in singles and one in doubles—during Italy’s spectacular run to clinch the title.
