MALAGA, NOV 26 – Jannik Sinner helped Italy win the Davis Cup after almost 25 years and now they are celebrating their second title in a row.
World number one Sinner ended the annual team tournament and capped off a successful season by defeating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (2), 6-2 on Sunday for a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the Davis Cup final.
“To come back as the defending champion and win again, this is one of the best feelings for all of us,” said Sinner. “We are very happy to lift this trophy and, of course, also to start the pre-season with high spirits.”
Matteo Berrettini put Italy ahead with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Botic van de Zandschulp, the last player to beat Rafael Nadal in the opening singles match on the indoor hard court at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in southern Spain.
The Italians, backed by a rowdy crowd of fans playing drums and equipped with loudspeakers among the 9,200 spectators, became the first team to win the Davis Cup twice in a row since the Czech Republic in 2012 and 2013.
While the Italian women’s team won the Billie Jean King Cup by defeating Slovakia today.
“They make us prouder,” said Davis Cup head coach Filippo Volandri.
After Sinner wrapped up his win, Berrettini and the rest of his teammates rushed onto the court to start the party, hugging each other and jumping together. Volandri hugged Sinner and lifted him off the ground.
It is clear that Sinner is the key to this success. Sinner posted a 4-0 record in Malaga, including a doubles win with Berrettini against Argentina in the quarter-finals. – AFP
