Flavio Cobolli said sealing Italy's place in the Davis Cup final was "one of the best days of my life" after he saved seven match points to win a dramatic 32-point tie-break against Belgium's Zizou Bergs.
Cobolli tore off his shirt in celebration as a party atmosphere erupted among the home support in Bologna once the 23-year-old took his seventh match point to prevail 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (17-15) after more than three hours.
Following the thrilling conclusion, which stands as the sixth-longest tie-break in the Davis Cup's 125-year history, two-time defending champions Italy will face Spain or Germany in Sunday's final.