(Tennis news) Italy’s Simon Bolelli and Fabio Fognini defeated USA’s Tommy Paul and Jack Sock 6-4 6-4 to secure a 2-1 victory, thereby progressing to the semi-finals of the Davis Cup for the first time in eight years. They will take on Canada, who defeated Germany. Italy went 1-0 up when Lorenzo Sonego defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-3 7-6 (9-7) before USA equalised when Taylor Fritz overcame Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (10-8) 6-3. With the scores level, both countries needed to decide the outcome in a doubles fixture for the first time in this season’s quarter-finals. Italy now has a realistic opportunity to win the Davis Cup for the first time since 1976.

USA, who have won the Davis Cup 32 times in the past but not since 2007 were disappointed with the outcome with captain Mardy Fish saying: “I have wanted to win this thing for a very long time as a player and captain. It is not going to happen this year and it stinks. We are going home without the trophy, which is a bummer.” The other quarter-final between Canada and Germany also went through a doubles match to decide the winner with Canada’s Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil overcoming Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 2-6 6-3 6-3. The German duo had won each of their previous eight matches in the competition together but were simply outmatched by their Canadian opponents.

World Number 18 Shapovalov suffered a shock 3-6 6-4 6-7 (2-7) defeat to Struff but Canada bounced back as World No 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Oscar Otte 7-6 (7-1) 6-4. Germany’s Krawietz and Puetz took the first set in the doubles match but Canada bounced back and will now take on Italy on Saturday as they look to win their first Davis Cup title in history, their best result coming in 2019 when they finished runners-up to Spain. The first semi-final will take place on Friday between Croatia and Australia and the Davis Cup final will take place on Sunday.

Also read: Davis Cup: Croatia to face Australia in semis after knocking out Spain