No doubles, no troubles: Last six Davis Cup finals not featuring doubles clash with single stars taking spotlight

Italy have recently been crowned as Davis Cup champions after what has been a dominant display throughout the week in Bologna. Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli were imperious on court, winning every single match played with double duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori not used once. This has been a pattern for the final since the format changed in 2019, with not one clash needing a final tie.

It was a historic third title in the row for the Italians, the first time that has occurred in the event since 1972 when the dominant USA won five titles on the spin. They were confirmed world champions after a dramatic last matchup between Cobolli and Jaume Munar went the distance. With Berrettini defeating Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets, the 23-year-old had to just win to keep the trophy on home soil.

It started badly, as the inspired Munar raced into an emphatic 5-0 lead after playing some great tennis. Cobolli emerged in the second set the more competitive, going all the way to a tiebreak before narrowly coming out on top. It looked like a second tiebreaker would be needed to split these two, but Cobolli upped the gears and managed to keep his cool to break the serve and confirm the title.

The format changed in 2019, with it now stating that the final will have three matches - two singles and followed by a doubles clash if tied after the first two matches. Surprisingly, the double pairings of each nation in the final never stepped onto the court, showcasing the dominance of the winning countries singles players.

Coincidentally, it was Spain who last tasted success in 2019. They got the better of Canada 2-0 in Madrid. Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez were drafted in. While the two singles finals were tight, they both went the way of the Spaniards. Roberto Bautista Agut got the better of a young Felix Auger-Aliassime, while 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal excelled against Denis Shapovalov for their sixth title.

2020 was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Davis Cup came back with a bang the next year with Russia taking down Croatia 2-0 for their first success since 2006. It was a star-studded Russian team, with Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev in their prime as they took down a hapless Croatian outfit. The pattern continued into 2022 with Canada getting over their 2019 disappointment. They defeated Australia 2-0 for their maiden triumph in the event. Despite relying on Vasek Pospisil and one of Shapovalov or Auger-Aliassime in the semi-final stages, they it was so much more routine in the final. While Shapovalov took down Thanasi Kokkinakis with ease, Auger-Aliassime got the better of Alex de Minaur to clinch the title.

Now we come into a period of Italian domination. They had only won a solitary Davis Cup before 2023, but after today's victory they have four, without even having to fall back on their double pairing. Australia were once again the victims of another painful final defeat. Matteo Arnaldi defeated Alexei Popyrin while a very talented Jannik Sinner made lightwork of de Minaur. Sinner had also been put in the doubles matches, partnering with Lorenzo Sonego.

It was the same result a year on, this time against the Netherlands. Berrettini kept up his great Davis Cup form as he fended off Botic Van de Zandschulp while a rampant Sinner gave Tallon Griekspoor little chance as Italy successfully defended their title. All the while, the double members of the team watched on waiting for their turn.