Italy Beats Austria to Reach Davis Cup Semi-Finals 2025

Hosts Italy stayed on track to win a third straight Davis Cup title after a strong 2-0 victory over Austria on November 19 in Bologna. The win sets Italy up for a semi-final match against Belgium. Even without top players Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian team was too strong for the Austrians, thanks to key singles victories from Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli.

Berrettini, a former Wimbledon runner-up, was first to play at the Supertennis Arena against Jurij Rodionov. Despite some difficulty in the second set, Berrettini won 6-3, 7-6(4). He had performed consistently well throughout 2024, winning all six of his Davis Cup matches as Italy successfully defended the title. His captain, Filippo Volandri, showed confidence in Berrettini by starting him in the first match.

The first set of Berrettini’s match was smooth as he secured it with an ace. In the second set, a brief stoppage occurred due to a lighting fault in the arena. When play resumed, Rodionov gained momentum and broke Berrettini’s serve for the first time. However, Berrettini managed to recover, including a key tiebreak where a double-fault from Rodionov handed him the advantage. Berrettini sealed the match with a powerful serve after bringing up match point with a reflex volley.

The second match was much faster, as Cobolli, Italy’s number one for the week, dominated Filip Misolic 6-1, 6-3. Cobolli’s strong performance in just over an hour ensured Italy’s comfortable progression into the semi-finals scheduled for November 21. His victory highlighted the depth of Italy’s team, showing they could win even without some of their top players.

Belgium secured their semi-final place with a 2-0 win over France on November 18. The upcoming Italy-Belgium semi-final promises to be competitive, with Belgium aiming to win the Davis Cup for the first time in their history. Other matches in the Final Eight on November 20 included Spain facing the Czech Republic and Argentina playing Germany.

The Davis Cup continues to provide thrilling moments and highlight the importance of teamwork and resilience. Italy’s victories demonstrate their strength and depth, while also giving younger players like Cobolli the chance to shine on an international stage. For the Italian fans in Bologna, the team’s performance was a proud moment, reinforcing their hopes for another Davis Cup title.

With strong singles performances and strategic leadership from captain Filippo Volandri, Italy has shown they are prepared for the challenges ahead. The semi-final clash against Belgium will be closely watched, as both nations compete for a chance to reach the final and possibly secure historic success in the prestigious tournament.