Italy reach second successive semifinals in Davis Cup history

They will face Serbia for a place in the final.

A triumph over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup Finals 2023 has enabled the Italian team to secure a place in the semifinals. This victory marks their first consecutive semi-final appearance since the 1997 and1998 season.

At the commencement of the quarter-final round, the Dutch team swiftly gained an advantage when Botic van de Zandschulp triumphed over Matteo Arnaldi of Italy with a score of 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 7-6 (9-7). Nevertheless, it was Jannik Sinner of Italy who displayed a remarkable performance by securing a decisive victory against Tallon Griekspoor with a score of 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 and leveled the tie 1-1. 

In the decisive encounter, Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego teamed up against Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof in the doubles round. As expected, the Italian duo emerged victorious in a convincing manner, defeating their opponents in two consecutive sets with scores of 6-3 and 6-4.

The Italian team will next face Novak Djokovic led Serbia on Saturday (November 25th) who beat Great Britain in their quarter-final round match on Thursday (November 23rd). 

In the tie between Great Britain and Serbia, Jack Draper succumbed to Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia in the first match, with a score of 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (8-6). Following this, the world No. 1 tennis star, Novak Djokovic, secured victory over Cameron Norrie, with scores of 6-4 6-4, thus securing his team’s spot in the semi-final round. 

Italy’s journey in the Davis Cup

The Italian team has been a participant in the Davis Cup since 1922. Their most notable achievement came in 1976 when they emerged as victors, triumphing over Chile. Additionally, they have reached the final of the Davis Cup on six other occasions, however, they were unable to secure the title on any of these occasions.

Their consecutive appearances in the semi-finals occurred in 1997 and 1998. Regrettably, they experienced defeat in the semi-final stage in 1997 In 1998, they reached the final but were unable to secure a victory, succumbing to Sweden.

Last year, the Italian team reached the semi-final round of the Davis Cup Finals, but unfortunately, they encountered a defeat at the hands of the Canada who went onto clinch the trophy.