Davis Cup: Berrettini not enough, dream shattered for Italy

Fognini-Berrettini pairing defeated in doubles decider, Canada in Davis Cup final

Italtennis’ dreams are shattered: Canada won the deciding doubles match of the Davis Cup semifinal in Malaga, thus gaining a pass to the final scheduled for Sunday against Australia.

Nothing to do for the impromptu pairing formed by Fabio Fognini and Matteo Berrettini, who had replaced the injured Simone Bolelli at the last minute: the duo composed of Auger-Aliassime and Pospisil won 2 sets to 0 with the scores of 7-6, 7-5, clinching the decisive point for the North Americans’ victory.

Earlier, the two singles matches had seen the victory of a brilliant Lorenzo Sonego against Denis Shapovalov, and Felix Auger-Aliassime against Lorenzo Musetti.

Bolelli’s latest defection was too much for the Azzurri, who were already without Sinner, and Matteo Berrettini’s lightning-fast recovery, with a sore foot, was not enough to sign off on the feat. The Azzurri will try again next year, perhaps with an extra Jannik Sinner.