Italy remained on target for a primary Davis Cup crown since 1976 with a surprising 2-1 win over document winners United States because the doubles pair of Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini beat Jack Sock and Tommy Paul in an exhilarating decider in Malaga on Thursday.
Taking to the court docket after American Taylor Fritz levelled the tie at 1-1 after Lorenzo Sonego gave Italy a shock lead, Bolelli and Fognini produced a flawless show of their 6-4 6-4 win to assist their nation attain the semis for the primary time since 2014.
Earlier, Sonego held his nerve in a decent second set to get previous Frances Tiafoe 6-3 7-6(7) and put Italy — who’re with out the injured duo of Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner — forward. Sonego drew first blood to go up 4-2 and saved a break level earlier than claiming the opening set. The world quantity 45, who misplaced his earlier assembly with Tiafoe in Paris this yr, saved two set factors within the subsequent set to pressure a tiebreak.
Tiafoe then grabbed the early lead however Sonego hit again and closed out the victory on his third matchpoint to ignite wild celebrations amongst Italian followers within the stands. But Italy’s pleasure was shortlived as Fritz dragged the 32-times winners again into the tie, battling from the brink within the first set tiebreak to beat Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(8) 6-3 and arrange the doubles decider.
Italy now face the winner of Thursday’s late tie between Germany and Canada for a spot within the closing, whereas Croatia will tackle 28-times champions Australia within the different semi-final. The title conflict takes place on Sunday.
