Hosts Italy have stayed on course for a Davis Cup 'three-peat' with a convincing victory over Austria in Bologna to set up a semi-final clash against Belgium.

Even without top players Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, the Italians were way too strong in front of a partisan crowd with singles wins for Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Berrettini was first up in the Supertennis Arena against Jurij Rodionov and after running into trouble in the second set, he won 6-3 7-6(4).

An inspired Cobolli, Italy's number one for the week, then thrashed Filip Misolic 6-1 6-3 to complete the job.

"We all want to win this cup and I felt the support of the bench, it was unbelievable," Cobolli said. "When I play for them, it is something which I cannot describe."

Berretti

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