Flavio Cobolli saves seven match points before sending Italy into Davis Cup Final

The 23-year-old finally closed out a 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (17-15) victory after more than three hours, sparking wild celebrations in Bologna as he ripped off his shirt and the home crowd erupted. The tie-break ranks as the sixth-longest in the 125-year history of the competition.

Italy, the two-time defending champions, will now meet Spain or Germany in Sunday's final.

In the immediate aftermath, Cobolli made a point of consoling Bergs, who sat with his head in his hands on the Belgium bench after the heartbreaking defeat.

Reflecting on the match in his on-court interview, World No 22 Cobolli said: "It's really tough to say something about this match..."

"We played for our countries and fought a lot for this win. In the end, I realised my dream and we are now in the final.

"I played an amazing match against a great opponent. I played for all of [the supporters], for all of my team, my family, for me. It is one of the best days of my life."

Italy team captain Filippo Volandri said: "In my five years as captain I have never seen something like that.

"It was an unbelievable match. At the end, I just said [it was] 5% tactics and 95% heart. This guy gave everything he had - I am really proud.

"We have an unbelievable bench, Matteo [Berrettini, Cobolli's team-mate] lost his voice.

"But it is not the last match. We celebrate tonight and then we focus on the final."

Berrettini had earlier set the tone for Italy, dominating Raphael Collignon in straight sets as a packed, 10,000-strong home crowd roared him on.

Cobolli's heroics mean Italy are the first team to reach three consecutive Davis Cup finals since Australia in 2001.

And despite missing their top two singles players - World No 2 Jannik Sinner and No 8 Lorenzo Musetti - the defending champions now have a chance to become the first nation in 53 years to lift the trophy three times in a row.

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