Sinner’s Double Work Takes Italy To Davis Cup Semis | ATP Tour

Italy starts as one of the main favorites for the throne in the Davis Cup Finals and this Thursday took a fundamental step towards the goal. Under the cover of the José Mª Martín Carpena Sports Palace in Málaga, Filippo Volandri’s men came back from a vibrant tie against the Netherlands (2-1) to reach the semifinals for the second consecutive year.

In the oldest team competition on the circuit, where the locker room logic tends to blow up, the team sky blue He embraced the talent of his roughest diamond. With a sober performance, Jannik Sinner was in charge of righting the course of the transalpine squad, capturing points in singles and doubles to place Italy among the final four contenders for the Salad Bowl.

The No. 4 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings shouldered the illusion of a historic nation, showing at just 22 years old an innate ability to assume responsibility in maximum pressure scenarios. The day placed Italy with no margin for error and in need of a special figure. In that context, Jannik answered the call.

Botic van de Zandschulp captured the first point of the tie in a heart-stopping duel, saving three match points before defeating Matteo Arnaldi 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-6(7) after nearly three hours of effort. In a battle of power to power, the colorful Dutch fans led their team to an exciting lead.

Sinner’s entry on the court, however, reduced the euphoria in an orange-tinged stands. Just four days after competing for the title of the Nitto ATP Finals, the one from San Cándido exerted himself on the court to defeat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(3), 6-1, whom he was consuming through perseverance and speed from the baseline. If Italy tested the oxygen of its leader, the match was a very clear message.

Far from seeking encouragement on the bench, Sinner redoubled his efforts to complete the comeback in the final doubles point. Jannik teamed up with Lorenzo Sonego and found the key to the semifinals, defeating the duo formed by Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof 6-4, 6-3 to once again dress as a candidate for the national team. blue.

Now, the room to dream is in your hands. Italy will play the Davis Cup semifinals on Saturday, September 25, against the winner of the tie that faces Serbia and Great Britain this Thursday in Malaga.

Did you know…?
Italy has not reached the Davis Cup final for 25 years. Picture sky blue They competed for the Salad Bowl for the last time in the 1998 edition, losing to Sweden in Milan. Under the orders of Paolo Bertolucci, figures such as Andrea Gaudenzi, Davide Sanguinetti, Gianluca Pozzi and Diego Nargiso were responsible for bringing the transalpine team close to glory.