In the other semi-final, 2023 finalists Australia remain in the mix thanks to a superb all-round team performance to defeat the USA 2-1. They have, in fact, reached the last two finals, so will be hoping there’s some truth behind the idiom “third time’s a charm.”

Aussie singles player Thanasi Kokkinakis silenced the doubters with a stunning 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (14) win against American Davis Cup debutant Ben Shelton, prevailing with a thrilling 16-14 tiebreak.

The first all top-10 battle of the week between Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur was won by the former, forcing the Aussies to call upon trusted doubles pair Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson to see out the result and continue their European stay.

Australia will have a shot at revenge against defending champions Italy, after the latter defeated Argentina 1-2 in their quaterfinal tie.

Now, with Jannik Sinner as world number one, the Azzurri found themselves on the backfoot when Lorenzo Musetti lost the opening match 6-4, 6-1 to Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndulo.

However, once Sinner stepped onto the court, the dynamic transformed as he smashed Sebastian Baez 6-2, 6-1, before stepping in once again for the doubles match alongside Matteo Berrettini and turning the tie around with a 6-4, 7-5 victory.