Italy conquers the Davis Cup: world champions for the third time in a row

Tennis Italy enters history by winning its third consecutive Davis Cup (the first at home, in Bologna), with a gigantic Flavio Cobolli triumphing in a comeback (1-6, 7-6, 7-5) against Jaume Munar after almost three hours of play, bringing the second and decisive point in the final with Spain. A success achieved with heart, determination and the unscrupulousness of the fighter who excelled in epic matches. Indescribable was the explosion in the hall and the joy of the Azzurri led by captain Volandri, with Cobolli collecting the public's embrace by kissing the jersey. It was since Stan Smith's United States (in 1972) that a team had not achieved the hat-trick.

And to say that it was a shock start for Flavio: after 11 minutes he was down 3-0, after 16 the disadvantage was 4-0 with the Spaniard always in command in the exchanges, supported by a constant service. Then the reaction of the Italian who, although still going under (5-0), had 5 break points, giving a glimpse of the fight that was to come in the second set. When, thanks to the Spaniard's drop on his serve, he fought back, tried to break the web from the back by attacking, and dragged by the crowd, he procured four set points at 6-5. Nullified by a cold and effective Munar, who in the decisive moments found his serve and placed two aces. Then came the tiebreak: Cobolli gave it his all, sank with his forehand and got the better of his opponent's solidity, who also countered two more set points on his own serve at 6-3 before succumbing to yet another forehand winner from the Italian.

The third set went on in perfect balance, there were no break points until 5-all, even a little tiredness did not allow the one to be effective on the other's serve. Then Flavio, with two excellent answers, got two of them, bringing himself to 15-40. The first was cancelled by Munar with a masterful volley, but on the second the Spaniard - in oxygen debt - sent the ball into the middle of the net. You could feel that we were at the epilogue, the one we had all been waiting for: it arrived with a game played on serve impeccably by the Italian. Then the celebration of the ten thousand and more in the Supertennis Arena exploded, cheered on by Flavio himself, who improvised the chorus on the microphone, jumping, 'We are the world champions!

Berrettini brings the first point

And it is one. The first point of the match between Italy and Spain in the Davis Cup final was won by Matteo Berrettini in the first singles match against Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-4.