Jannik Sinner remains relentless to return defending champions Italy to the Davis Cup final
Italy and the world number one are heading back to the Davis Cup final after they defeated 2023 finalists Australia in the semi-final.
Tennis
The defending champions are on the verge of going back-to-back, as Italy are heading to the 2024 Davis Cup final with a 2-0 semi-final win against Australia on Saturday, 23 November.
Matteo Berrettini edged out Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5 in a captivating opener, before world number one Jannik Sinner secured the tie by defeating Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4.
It has been a stunning year for Sinner, becoming the first Italian tennis world number one and winning all three of his matches in Málaga, Spain to make it 14 Davis Cup wins.
Italy will take on the Netherlands in the Davis Cup final at the Martin Carpena Arena on Sunday, 24 November.
Jannik Sinner, inevitable winner
Sinner wins again, it is just what he does.
The world number one was showing why he sits top of the tennis food chain, barely a week after claiming the ATP Finals title on home soil in Turin.
He had a favourable matchup against de Minaur, the world number nine needing to win for the first time in nine meetings with Sinner to keep Australia alive.
Sadly for ‘the Demon’ and Australia, Sinner was at his optimal level and broke at the first time of asking. His unbeatable forehand shook the ground and invigorated the crowd, who worshipped his every move as the 23-year-old stormed ahead.
It is hard for anyone to compete against Sinner when he is in this red-hot form, in a year in which he has been practically unstoppable with two Grand Slam titles.
Whether it was his 18 winners proving insurmountable for de Minaur, or Sinner’s 75% success rate at the net, he was no match for the Australians who are sent packing after reaching the last two finals.
Sinner has already had an outstanding year, and if he helps Italy defend their Davis Cup and win the nation’s third title, it will add another cherry to the cake in the world number one’s unrivalled season.
Jannik Sinner in action at the Davis Cup 2024 Final 8 in Málaga, Spain.
Matteo Berrettini justifies captain Volandri’s call
In the earlier match Italian captain Filippo Volandri selected Berrettini, having opted for Olympic bronze medallist Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-final opener against Argentina.
Musetti was beaten in that match, and with Berrettini coming in clutch in the doubles decider two days earlier, it was a natural choice to make the switch against a dangerous Kokkinakis.
It was another match where the 2021 Wimbledon finalist had to fight with all his might, though playing to the Italian-dominated crowd’s delight gave him all the confidence in the world.
Nonetheless, Kokkinakis was relentless as to deny four break points in the first set, going on to save set point with a stunning baseline return and taking the tiebreak and the opening set.
Berrettini could rely on his serve accuracy, not committing any double faults, as he played some vintage tennis to mount a comeback and force a deciding set.
With little between the pair, the Italian hit a sumptuous sliced winner with the set level at 5-5, the 11,000 fans inside the arena erupting to the sheer quality on display as Berrettini secured a crucial win for the Azzurri.
Sinner sealed the deal and is now just one win away from capping off his amazing season with another major trophy.