Italy has today become a finalist in the second edition of the ATP Cup to the detriment of Spain without Rafael Nadal. The Balearic, with back discomfort, has not been able to participate in any series and will arrive for the third time in his career without matches at the Australian Open that begins this Monday.

The semi-final, played at the John Cain court, began with the victory of Fabio Fognini against Pablo Carreno in the duel of the numbers two of both formations. The talented transalpine tennis player prevailed in three sets and laid the first stone for his formation. Roberto Bautista came out with all the pressure something he had not experienced in the group stage where Carreno had scored the opening point against Australia and Greece. The brave Castellon, under the tutelage of Pepe Vendrell the national coach this week in the team competition, suffered in his flesh the forcefulness of a Matteo Berrettini serve that remembered the one who was ‘top10’ two seasons ago

Bautista noticed a physical discomfort, so he informed the members of his bench, which forced him to request the presence of the physiotherapist at the conclusion of the first set. He was treated in the locker room and returned with all the predisposition to comeback. Finally, he could not turn the scoreboard and fell with a score of 6-3 and 7-5.

The Armada remains on the verge of a final in which Italy will meet the powerful Russia of Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, who has served today as the executioner of Germany. The good news is that the Spanish players will have at least one day of rest before facing the Australian great.

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