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After Jannik Sinner’s triumph at the US Open, Italy dreams of adding another success to a fantastic season. Last year ended with Italy winning the Davis Cup in the final against Australia in Malaga, and the Italian team, led by captain Filippo Volandri, is aiming for a repeat.
In the elimination round of Group A, the Italian team (comprising Berrettini, Arnaldi, Cobolli, and the doubles pair Bolelli-Vavassori) will compete against Brazil, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Notably absent are Lorenzo Musetti and Jannik Sinner. Italy’s opening match against Brazil is set for today: Matteo Berrettini will kick things off against Joao Fonseca, followed by Matteo Arnaldi facing Thiago Monteiro, and the doubles match between Bolelli/Vavassori and Matos/Melo will conclude the tie.
On paper, Italy should not face major difficulties and is the clear favorite, but in tennis, nothing is guaranteed. Last year, despite the technical gap with Canada, the Italian team suffered a heavy 3-0 loss in their first tie against the North Americans but managed to qualify second in the group after monumental performances from Sonego and Musetti, overcoming Chile and Sweden.
In the other match in Italy's group held yesterday, Belgium surprisingly defeated the Netherlands 2-1. The Dutch team had started well with van de Zandschulp's win over Collignon (7-6, 7-5), but Griekspoor's defeat to Berg (2-6, 7-6, 3-6) triggered Belgium’s comeback, capped by the decisive doubles victory of Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen against Botic van de Zandschulp/Wesley Koolhof (4-6, 7-6, 6-4).
In other Tuesday matches, Germany defeated Slovakia 3-0, while Canada and Australia both secured 2-1 victories over Argentina and France, respectively. Besides Italy, the United States will also be in action against Chile, Carlos Alcaraz’s Spain will face the Czech Republic, and Great Britain will take on Finland.
