Sinner and Berrettini Lead Italy to Davis Cup Final

Italy, the reigning champions, secured their place in the Davis Cup final, defeating Australia 2-0, spearheaded by Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini. Berrettini, who was sidelined by injury during Italy’s Davis Cup triumph last year, was pictured on the right. World number one and two-time Grand Slam champion Sinner extended his impressive year by achieving a 6-3 6-4 victory against Alex de Minaur. This result followed an engaging initial singles encounter where his fellow countryman Berrettini rallied to defeat Thanasi Kokkinakis with scores of 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 7-5. Italy is scheduled to compete against the Netherlands on Sunday in a contest available for live streaming via the BBC Sport website and app. Earlier in the week, the Italian women’s team achieved victory in the Billie Jean King Cup tournament. In Malaga, both Sinner and Berrettini received vocal backing from a supportive home crowd. “It feels like Italy, it is unbelievable,” Berrettini commented following the match. He added, “I love this atmosphere, I love playing Davis Cup and I cannot wait to play many more matches.” Sinner’s triumph against De Minaur was largely anticipated, given his perfect record of eight prior wins against him, which included a decisive 6-3, 6-0 victory in the previous year’s Davis Cup final. The Italian player displayed dominance in the opening set, leveraging his effortless power to outmaneuver De Minaur and position his team on the verge of the final. The subsequent set proved to be more closely contested; however, De Minaur, serving at 4-4 to remain in contention, faltered, allowing Sinner to swiftly serve for the match, much to the crowd’s enthusiasm. Sinner has now accumulated 24 consecutive set victories on the ATP Tour, maintaining an unbeaten streak in sets since the second round of the Shanghai Masters in early October. Sinner, who secured titles at the Australian and US Opens this year, stated, “I had one of the best feelings ever last year winning the Davis Cup.” He added, “We’re happy to be back in the final.” Berrettini’s match against Kokkinakis could have concluded more straightforwardly had he capitalized on opportunities in the opening set. The powerful Italian served for the set while holding a 6-5 advantage and a set point, but an errant forehand compelled the match into a tie-break. Berrettini subsequently held two set points during the tie-break but failed to convert them, resulting in Kokkinakis securing the first set as a reward for his persistent effort. In the early stages of the second set, Kokkinakis created break point opportunities, but Berrettini maintained his composure, delivering three powerful serves to hold his game and exploiting some nervousness from his adversary to necessitate a deciding set. The third set also remained closely contested until a remarkable dinked forehand by Berrettini, struck at 5-5 on Kokkinakis’s serve, altered the match’s momentum. Following two unforced errors from Kokkinakis, Berrettini gained the pivotal break, subsequently serving to clinch the victory and provide his team with an ideal beginning.