Italy defend Davis Cup title as Jannik Sinner caps off superb season with trophy-clinching win against Netherlands
Updated 24/11/2024 at 19:46 GMT
Italy are Davis Cup champions again. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini both won their singles matches as Italy defended their title with victory against the Netherlands. The win means Italy are Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup champions in 2024. Netherlands had beaten Rafael Nadal's Spain and Germany to reach the final but they couldn't cause another upset against Italy.
Highlights: Sinner guides Italy to Davis Cup glory against Netherlands
Video credit: SNTV
Italy won the Davis Cup for the second year in a row as Jannik Sinner capped off a superb season with more silverware.
World No. 1 Sinner clinched a 2-0 win for Italy against the Netherlands with a straight-sets victory over Tallon Griekspoor.
Matteo Berrettini won the opening rubber 6-4 6-2 against Botic van de Zandschulp after firing down 16 aces.
The win means Italy are Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup champions in 2024.
Sinner, who ends the year with a 73-6 win-loss record, is the first player ever to win two Grand Slams, the Nitto ATP Finals, and the Davis Cup in the same season.
"It has been an amazing year. I’m very proud of the whole team," said Sinner.
"There is a lot of work behind it and I’m very happy to hold this trophy again. It was a very difficult day today, because anything can happen."
Sinner seals victory for Italy
Surprise finalists Netherlands were looking to pull off their biggest upset so far at the Davis Cup Finals after taking out home hopefuls Spain and then Germany.
But Van de Zandschulp could not get them off to a winning start as he did earlier in the week when he beat Rafael Nadal in the 22-time Grand Slam winner's final career match.
A tight first set against Berrettini went the way of the Italian after he broke to love in the ninth game.
Berrettini continued to fire off both sides in the second set, recovering from 0-30 with a backhand winner down the line and then setting up break point with two big forehands.
A double fault from Van de Zandschulp handed Berrettini the break, and he followed up with two quick service games.
Berrettini continued to play brilliantly and closed out the win in just 76 minutes.
For the Netherlands to force a decisive double, they needed Griekspoor to beat Sinner for the first time in their sixth career meeting.
Griekspoor gave it a good shot, especially in a high-quality first set that saw him create the only two break-point chances in the third game.
Sinner, though, was equal to the challenge, fending off the break points and matching Griekspoor’s level.
In the tie-break, he produced a brilliant drop shot to lead 5-2 and then took the set with an ace out wide.
Griekspoor continued to throw everything at Sinner in the second set, making two superb backhand passing shots in one game to level after being broken.
But Sinner ultimately proved too good, breaking again for 3-2 and then reeling off three more games in a row to seal victory.
The world No. 1 sealed the win with a serve out wide that Griekspoor, who had saved three match points from 40-0, could not return.
- - -
Stream top tennis action, including the 2025 Australian Open, live and on-demand on discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement