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Australia beat United States in a classic to take its place in the last four, Thanasi Kokkinakis saving four match points to win the longest tiebreak in the competition since 2019 to beat Ben Shelton before Taylor Fritz hit back for the Americans to level, but Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson got the job done in the doubles.

Filippo Volandri’s Italy beat Argentina to take its place in the last four, and is now looking to reach back-to-back finals for the first time since 1980, when it ended a run of four years making the showpiece match.

Italy beat Australia 2-0 in the 2023 final, Matteo Arnaldi beating Alexei Popyrin in three sets before Sinner dealt easily with Alex De Minaur, winning 6-3 6-0 to negate the need for a doubles rubber between the two.

With Sinner fresh from winning the ATP Finals in Turin, the task this year will likely be no easier for Lleyton Hewitt's Australia team, which itself is one win away from appearing three straight finals for the first time since 2001.

 “They're obviously a quality team and one of the toughest teams here, for sure," Hewitt said when asked about the task ahead..

"We'll be up for the challenge. But it's not going to be any easier than it was last year, either.”

Australia has won eight of its previous meetings with Italy, including three finals in 1960, 1961 and 1977, but with Sinner in its side, Italy might be considered the favourite to beat Australia again, although the world No.1 will not be taking anything for granted 

“It's very unpredictable. We saw it today also and yesterday how matches can go," Sinner said after helping his side beat Argentina to set up the clash with Australia.

"We just try to play our best and make a good team effort, and the rest we cannot really control.”

Matteo Berrettini, who also looks in good form for Italy, was somewhat more positive.

 “I just feel I'm really strong in my head. You know, mentally when I play for Italy, I feel like I have an extra energy," he said.

“It's all about that. I think it's putting your heart, you know, when you're playing and look in your team-mates' eyes and just feeling that they want to be there and you have to play for them, as well, because they could play there.”