Davis Cup 2024: Jannik Sinner helps send Italy into final against Netherlands with win over Australia
Published 23/11/2024 at 18:40 GMT
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner overcame a brave performance from Alex de Minaur in the singles to secure victory and confirm Italy's progression into the final of the Davis Cup in Malaga. The Italians have the chance to defend their title and secure a Davis and Billy Jean Cup double in 2024. Sinner capped off the 2-0 win following Matteo Berrettini's earlier victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Sinner and Berrettini guide holders Italy into semi-final with doubles victory
Video credit: SNTV
Italy overwhelmed Australia in the Davis Cup semi-finals to keep their title defence on track, winning 2-0 to set up a clash with the Netherlands in Sunday's final in Malaga.
Matteo Berrettini edged Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 6-3 7-5 in the opening singles rubber, a nearly three-hour encounter of high-quality tennis.
Momentum swung rapidly throughout with both producing some of their best in front of a loud and highly-entertained crowd, but ultimately it was Berrettini who prevailed to put one Italian foot in the final.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner watched his compatriot from the team box before heading on court for his meeting with Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur.
Australia, in their third consecutive Davis Cup semi-final, have pedigree in this tournament, but De Minaur faced an uphill battle against a man he has not beaten in all eight of their meetings - per the ATP Tour official website.
Sinner would prevail in straight-sets, 6-3 6-4, but was made to fight hard for the victory against an in-form De Minaur, particularly in the second set.
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Both sides had tough routes to this highly-anticipated tie. Sinner inspired Italy to a comeback win in their quarter-final against Argentina, ultimately triumphing 2-1 to keep their title defence hopes alive, while Australia saw off USA 2-1 in a thrilling and closely-fought encounter.
The two top-ranked teams met in a rematch of last year's final, with Italy looking to complete a clean sweep for the country in team tennis competition this year, after Jasmine Paolini inspired the nation to Billie Jean King Cup glory earlier this week.
Italy will meet a Dutch side of underdogs after Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp sent the Netherlands through to their first-ever Davis Cup final, prevailing over Germany in their semi-final with a clean sweep.
BERRETTINI FIGHTS THROUGH GRITTY OPENER
While Berrettini is ranked 43 places higher than Kokkinakis, the Australian has an enviable record at the Davis Cup this year.
He seems to thrive under the pressure, defeating Ben Shelton - ranked 56 places higher - in a tense 30-point deciding tie-break in Australia's quarter-final opener.
His trademark tenacity and resilience were again on show in Saturday's dramatic opening contest.
After some early straightforward holds the Australian began to come under pressure on serve, falling behind in nearly every service game and allowing Berrettini to dominate rallies with his usual powerful groundstrokes.
The Italian had multiple break point chances and looked the more likely winner throughout the first set, but wasted chances at 4-4 and then faced pressure to stay in the set at 5-4 down.
He eventually got the breakthrough to lead 6-5, but Kokkinakis - far from being disheartened - roared back into contention and immediately broke back.
He carried that momentum into the tie-break, initially getting a mini-break before double faulting to go 5-3 down.
Berrettini had set points at 6-4 but again wasted his chances, leaving an inspired Kokkinakis forehand which just kissed the baseline for 6-5.
It was to prove crucial as the Aussie won the next three points, claiming the opener after over an hour on court.
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Sinner and Berrettini guide holders Italy into semi-final with doubles victory
Video credit: SNTV
Kokkinakis began the second set full of self-belief, targeting Berrettini's backhand wing and repeatedly firing winners down the line to keep his counterpart on the front foot.
A far cry from the pressure he was under on serve in the first set, Kokkinakis did not drop a point in his first three service games of the second, and wasted a break point chance of his own in Berrettini's second service game.
The Italian's huge forehand and booming serves kept things level and at 4-3, as Kokkinakis started to falter. His first serve percentage fell away, his intensity dipped and, after multiple deuces, a wild sprayed forehand handed over a first break for Berrettini.
The former Wimbledon runner-up was fired up and in control and, with a swift hold to love, levelled the match for Italy at one set apiece.
The third set saw some of the best tennis of the entire encounter. Kokkinakis - a Grand Slam champion in doubles - looked fatigued in his first service game as Berrettini continued to keep the intensity high.
But following the pattern of the match so far, the Italian couldn't take his chance to break, misfiring long.
As the set continued the pair upped their quality, with Berrettini digging himself out of trouble at 3-2 down with a beautiful forehand winner down the line which just skimmed the outside edge.
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It took until the 11th game for the crucial breakthrough, as the Italian No. 2 produced some inspired tennis - including a stunning cross-court winner which just glanced over the net - to break for 6-5.
Like in the first set, he had the chance to serve it out, but while Kokkinakis had a glimmer of hope at 30-15, the big-serving Italian kept his cool and earned two match points.
Fittingly, it was a huge ace down the T that sealed it, after two hours and 43 minutes on court, with the 28-year-old soaking up the applause before running to celebrate with his team-mates.
SINNER WINS IN STRAIGHT SETS
Sinner has been in imperious form all year - particularly on his favoured surface, hard courts - and he wasted no time in getting on the board early in what turned out to be a decisive match.
The 23-year-old immediately put De Minaur under pressure on serve, earning two break point chances with a flawless backhand down the line.
De Minaur's athleticism and movement did not prove to answer Sinner's questions as the Italian hauled him around the court, dominating rallies, securing the early break for a 2-0 lead.
But De Minaur had an immediate chance to break back and, as his brilliant defence forced Sinner into errors, an overcooked forehand from the World No. 1 put the set back on serve.
Italy then broke for the second time in the match in the sixth game, giving Sinner a comfortable 4-2 lead. He completed the opening set win on his serve in the ninth game to secure the opening set 6-3.
The second set was fiercely contested as both players fought to save their serve on multiple occasions. Both Sinner and De Minaur survived deuce on their serves in the fifth and sixth games respectively.
Sinner took a crucial break point in the ninth game to set him up to serve for the match and a chance for Italy to book their spot in the semi-finals.
The world no.1 fired an ace on break point to stamp his authority on the second set, but De Minaur would not lie down in the final game.
Australia snuck to a 30-15 lead in said game, but three consecutive points from Sinner secured the win and Italy's progression to the final.
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