Davis Cup Finals | Matteo Berrettini sends Italy towards final showdown with Spain or Germany

It seems Italy are on their way again to the final of the Davis Cup after Matteo Berrettini surged past Raphael Collignon and Flavio Cobolli sits well towards the second match win over Zizou Bergs in Bologna.

Berrettini powered to a 6-3, 6-4 win as he overcame second set resistance from his opponent. If Italy do each the final on Sunday, they will become the first nation to reach a hat-trick of Davis Cup finals since Australia in 2001. Berrettini has now won eight consecutive matches in the competition.

Berrettini was dialled in from the start with the 10,000 contingent cheering him on at the SuperArena in Bologna. An early break proved decisive in the first set. Collignon tried to impose himself on the match but the gap between the two players was evident as the former leaked errors aplenty and Berrettini oozed confidence. This included a cheeky backhand lob off his weaker side. After just over half an hour, Berrettini won the opening set with his huge serve shutting down the Belgian.

Collignon lost his serve in the second set following two double faults but he fought hard to hold on from there not allowing Berrettini to go up a double break. Collignon then generated his first break point of the match and he levelled the set score by threading an exquisite backhand down the line.

Serving at 2-3, Berrettini gifted Collignon a break point chance but the response was emphatic as he saved it and got a forehand winner to get to advantage and then a huge serve to come through the game.

He carried that through and re-established a break advantage. A backhand lob to create a chance and a volley winner to finish it before he closed out the match. The chants of Matteo ringing around the arena and Cobolli is already 6-3 up on Bergs in the second match. Italy are well on their way with or without Sinner or Musetti.