Jannik Sinner powered Italy to a 2-1 comeback win against the Netherlands to secure a Davis Cup semi-final place.
Botic van de Zandschulp beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 7-6 (9-7) to give the Dutch side an early lead.
However, world number four Sinner pulled Italy level with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 win over Tallon Griekspoor before partnering Lorenzo Sonego to victory in the deciding doubles match.
Italy will next face Serbia or Great Britain, who play later on Thursday.
Sinner, who was beaten by Serbia’s Djokovic in the ATP Finals title match on Sunday, edged the opening set of his singles rubber before racing through the second in just 20 minutes.
Italy captain Filippo Volandri replaced Simone Bolelli with Sinner for the deciding doubles rubber, while Dutch captain Paul Haarhuis swapped in Griekspoor for Jean-Julien Rojer to partner Wesley Koolhof.
Sinner and Sonego won 6-3 6-4 to send Italy – winners in 1976 – into a second successive Davis Cup semi-final.
“It means a lot to me,” Sinner said. “But more importantly we’re through to the semi-finals. It’s the first time I can experience this.
“We were under a lot of pressure. The decision to put us on the court for doubles, we have to give a lot of credit to the captain and the team… pushing us to the limit.”
The semi-finals will be played on Friday and Saturday, before the champions of the 123-year-old men’s team event are decided in Sunday’s showpiece.
