Italy sees off defending champs Argentina

Fabio Fognini made his experience tell to beat Guido Pella in five sets and send Italy into the Davis Cup quarterfinals at the expense of depleted holders Argentina.

Fognini battled back to win 2-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the last rubber which was postponed on Sunday due to rain delays and failing light.

Italy, who lost at home in last year’s quarterfinal to an Argentine team that went on to win the trophy for the first time, take on Belgium in the last eight in April.

The Italians looked set for a comfortable victory after Paolo Lorenzo beat Pella and Andreas Seppi overcame Carlos Berlocq in the opening singles rubbers.

But Argentina, without the heroes of their 2016 victory, Juan Martin del Potro and Federico Delbonis, fought back as Berlocq and Leonardo Mayer won the doubles in five sets against Fognini and Simone Bolelli.

Berlocq’s marathon five-set win over Lorenzi on Sunday, which began at 1100 local time and finished after 1930 following two long rain delays, set up Monday’s finale.