MALAGA, Spain – In a thrilling Davis Cup semifinal match on Saturday, Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini led Italy to a 2-0 victory over Australia, securing their place in the final for the second consecutive year. The match took place at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martina Carpena in southern Spain, where a supportive crowd of Italian fans created an electric atmosphere.
Sinner, the top-ranked player, extended his tour-level winning streak to 24 singles sets in a row by defeating No. 9 Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4. His dominant performance showcased his incredible form this year, including his recent title at the ATP Finals.
Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up, faced a tougher challenge against Thanasi Kokkinakis but managed to come back from a set down to win 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5. After losing the first set and squandering several chances to close it, Berrettini displayed remarkable resilience, breaking Kokkinakis’ serve in the final game to secure the victory.
The Italian captain, Filippo Volandri, praised his team’s performance and expressed confidence heading into the final against the Netherlands, who will be making their first appearance in the Davis Cup final. Italy is aiming to become the first country to win the Davis Cup in consecutive years since the Czech Republic in 2012 and 2013.
The Italian fans’ enthusiasm was palpable throughout the match, with chants of “I-ta-lia!” and “Ole, ole, ole, ole! Matte’!” echoing through the arena. The atmosphere was so intense that chair umpire James Keothavong had to repeatedly ask spectators to stop whistling during Kokkinakis’ serves.
Berrettini, who has faced injury setbacks over the past two seasons, expressed his gratitude for the support and his determination to fight for his country. “It wasn’t easy to digest… because I had so many chances,” he said, reflecting on the match.
With the Davis Cup final approaching, Italy is poised to defend their title and continue their impressive run in international tennis. The team’s success is a testament to their hard work, skill, and the unwavering support of their fans.
Jannik Sinner in 2024
Now the world no.1, Jannik played his last match on the 23rd of November when he beat world no.9 Alex De Minaur 6-3 6-4 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
This season Sinner has achieved a composed 72-6 match record. Jannik has won 8 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Shanghai and the Nitto ATP Finals. Jannik was the finalist in Beijing.