ITALY is two wins away from going back-to-back at the Davis Cup after coming from behind against a plucky Argentinian outfit. Following a surprise win by Francisco Cerundolo over Lorenzo Musetti, world number one Jannik Sinner had to step up, and step up he did. Sinner won his singles in convincing fashion before teaming up with late inclusion Matteo Berrettini to secure the tie.

It was a memorable evening for the Italians, as they were put to the test early thanks to some fantastic tennis by a determined Cerundolo. Knowing how important the second singles rubber was, the Argentinian delivered with a strong 6-4 6-1 victory over Musetti. While the 30th ranked Cerundolo is not too far off the 17th ranked Musetti, the latter was tipped to win given the indoor hardcourt surface.

However that was not the case and Argentina clinched the vital rubber. As expected, world number one Sinner completely obliterated the South American nation’s top ranked singles player in Sebastian Baez, only dropping three games in a 72-minute rout. The world number one then was called in for double duty alonside former Top 10 singles player Berrettini.

The decision to send out two singles players for doubles over the specialist doubles pairing on Andrea Vavassori (ninth in the world) and Simone Bolelli (11th) was a risky one, and something that had backfired on United States captain Mike Bryan earlier in the day. However captain Filippo Volandri backed in his talented singles duo, and it paid dividends, with the pair overcoming Argentinian doubles duo Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez (ranked 21st and 22nd respectively).

Sinner and Berrettini – with a combined age of 51 – beat the veteran Argentinian pair – with a combined age of 77 – in a tight 6-4 7-6 result to close out the quarter final tie. The world number one said he was pleased that Berrettini could step up in the doubles and “carry him”.

“I think we have some very good choices to put on the court,” Sinner said post-match. “Today was this choice because I played the first match, and it was not that long, so I felt physically ready. He played unbelievable, Matteo. He carried me.

“This means so much to us and I’m happy to play doubles with him.”

Looking to the semi-finals, Italy will set its sights on Australia in a rematch of last year’s final. In a strange fixturing quirk, the world number one Italians and world number two Aussies ended up in the same half of the draw. Not to mention Australia defeating world number four United States to get to the semi-finals.

The winner of the semi between Italy and Australia will be heavy favourites for the overall Davis Cup title against the lower ranked either Netherlands or Germany.