Davis Cup star shuts down Novak Djokovic verdict after stepping up for Jannik Sinner | Tennis | Sport

Two-time defending champions Italy are through to the final of the Davis Cup and are looking to complete a three-peat. Jannik Sinner led his nation to the last two trophies, but the four-time Major winner opted not to represent his country this year, while world No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti also withdrew from the tournament.

In their absence, world No. 22 Flavio Cobolli has stepped up as his country’s main singles player at this week’s Davis Cup Finals. The 23-year-old saved seven match points in a thrilling final set tiebreak to beat Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in Friday’s semi-final, winning 6-3 6-7(5) 7-6(15) and ripping his shirt off in celebration in front of a packed crowd in Bologna as he sent Italy into the championship tie.

Cobolli declared it was one of the “best days of [his] life” during an emotional on-court interview. But it was his passionate celebration that caught attention, as many thought the world No. 22 was copying one of his idols, Novak Djokovic.

Ahead of Sunday’s final, the two-time title winner shut down suggestions that it was linked to Djokovic, and instead joked that he was inspired by another famous figure.

“No, the celebration was about Flavio, not about Nole. Yeah, he’s my favourite player. But today I felt that I was trying to be like Hulk. At the end I’m doing gym every day,” Cobolli smiled.

Italy’s captain, Filippo Volandri, thought his man was trying to show off. “He walks from the locker with the T-shirt high. He wants to show us he works out in the gym,” he added.

While Cobolli didn’t disagree, he claimed he wouldn’t be repeating the T-shirt-ripping celebration, even though he could help Italy defend their title in the World Cup of men’s tennis. The 23-year-old replied: “I’m the shape, so… Just show, yeah. Look into the mirror. But it’s the last time.”

Italy will face Spain in Sunday’s final. Like Italy, the Spanish team is without its two highest-ranked players – world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew injured while top-15 star Alejandro Davidovich Fokina did not get the call-up.

They still beat Czechia in the quarter-finals and Germany in the semis, with both ties going down to a decisive doubles rubber. Italy, meanwhile, have been dominant, beating Austria and Belgium 2-0, with Cobolli and former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini winning both of their singles matches so far this week.