Italy beat Croatia 3-0 in its opening match on the second day of Group A at the Unipol Arena in Bologna.
This year’s Hamburg champion Lorenzo Musetti earned Italy a 1-0 lead after his 6-4 6-2 win over world number 164 Borna Gojo in 1 hour and 24 minutes.
Musetti missed a break point at 1-1, but he earned his first break in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. The Italian player missed four break points at 5-3. Musetti held serve at 15 with three winners to close out the first set 6-4.
Musetti broke twice in the first and third games and dropped just three points in his final three service games to seal the second set 6-2.
“it is the first time that I play as local in Italy with a full stadium. It’s a feeling that I cannot describe with words. I have always dreamed about this and having won feels so good. My familt was in the stands and this made it even more special”, said Musetti.
Matteo Berrettini came back from one set down to beat this year’s Cincinnati Masters 1000 champion Borna Coric 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-1.
Berrettini faced two break points in the second game of the opening set. He saved the first chance with a smash, but he dropped his serve, when he sent his forehand into the net. Coric held his next service games to open up a 4-1 lead. Berrettini broke back in the seventh game with a down the line passing shot forehand.
Coric rallied from 15-40 to earn a set point in the 10th game, but he did not convert it. Berrettini held his serve with an ace and a crosscourt forehand.
Berrettini saved two set points at 2-6 in the tie-break, but Coric converted his third chance, when the Italian player sent his forehand into the net.
Berrettini went a break to take a 2-0 lead after Coric made a double fault. Berrettini missed four double break points in the fourth game.
Berrettini faced a break point in the seventh game but he saved it with a backhand. The Italian player converted his first point, as Coric made a backhand error.
Berrettini saved a break point in the first game of the third set. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist earned a break in the fourth game with a backhand volley and held his service game for 4-1. Berrettini went up a double break in the sixth game and sealed the win on his second match point.
“In the Davis Cup what matters most is to win matches. The main priority was to win the point for Italy. I have not a great experience in the Davis Cup. I felt better and better during the match and this gave me confidence”, said Berrettini.
In the doubles match Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli came back from one set down to beat Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7-3).
