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Italy’s Davis Cup dream is still alive: the Azzurri defeated Belgium 2-1 in the group stage, maintaining their unbeaten record and moving closer to the Finals in Malaga. It was a hard-fought victory, won with heart and determination, thanks to the efforts of Matteo Berrettini and the doubles team Bolelli-Vavassori, despite Flavio Cobolli's loss to an impressive Zizou Bergs.
At the Unipol Arena in Casalecchio di Reno, Italy had to fight from the very first match. Matteo Berrettini faced Alexander Blockx, a little-known young Belgian who shocked everyone by taking the first set 6-3. Berrettini, however, managed to turn the match around, rallying to win the next two sets 6-2, 6-3. At the end of the match, tears of joy filled the court as Berrettini embraced captain Filippo Volandri and the entire team.
After Italy’s initial 1-0 lead, Flavio Cobolli took the court for the second singles match against Zizou Bergs. The young Italian started strong, leading 3-1, but the Belgian fought back, winning the first set 6-3. Cobolli battled hard in the second set, pushing Bergs to a tiebreak, but in the third set, he ran out of steam and was defeated both physically and mentally.
With the score tied, the responsibility fell on the doubles team of Bolelli-Vavassori, who were retained by Volandri despite missed match points against Brazil. The two Italians showed grit and focus, defeating the Belgian pair Gille/Vliegen in two tight sets 7-6, 7-5. The doubles victory sparked joy among the crowd and brought Italy within reach of the Finals, though qualification is not yet guaranteed. Now, Italy will have to root for Brazil against Belgium and beat the Netherlands on Sunday to secure a place in Malaga.
