Simone Bolelli put together another clutch performance for Italy, leading his country to its second straight comeback win at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship on Friday and denying Spain its two chances to reach the final.

Bolelli first defeated Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-3 to level the tie, and then clinched the win for Italy by teaming up with compatriot Potito Starace to a 7-6(2), 6-3 win over Marcel Granollers and Lopez.

Bolelli withstood 11 aces from Lopez in the second singles match, and broke the Spaniard's serve once in each set to secure the win in one hour and 19 minutes. Coming into the match, Lopez had not dropped a set in singles action this week.

On Wednesday, Bolelli had led Italy past Germany with a win in the reverse singles and doubles rubbers. It was Italy's first winning tie at this event since 1984.

Italy, making just its second tournament appearance since 1984, remains undefeated against Spain at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship, adding to their wins in the first two editions of the tournament, in 1978 and ’79.

World No. 5 David Ferrer came through an up-and-down match against Italian Potito Starace 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to place Spain on solid footing going into the final day of round robin action.

In Thursday’s singles match, Ferrer came back from a mid-match lapse that saw Starace roll out to a 5-0 lead in the second set. Ferrer, who managed to win just one game in his first match this week, held and recovered a break of serve to regain some much needed momentum heading into the third set.

He broke Starace to go up 4-2 in the decisive set, and saved four break points as he served out the match in two hours and seven minutes.

Spain was trying to reach the final for the first time since winning their fourth ARAG ATP World Team Championship title in 1997. After a loss to Germany in their opening round robin tie, Spain defeated Russia on Tuesday with wins in both singles matches.