Match Report
Sinner seals Davis Cup crown for Italy to cap standout 2024 season
World No. 1 defeated Netherlands’ Griekspoor after Berrettini win
November 24, 2024
Thomas Coex/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Jannik Sinner is embraced by his captain Filippo Volandri after clinching the Davis Cup crown for Italy.
By Andy West
Jannik Sinner rounded out his gorgeous yr in a usually cool and picked up trend on Sunday in Malaga.
The No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(2), 6-2 to seal a second consecutive Davis Cup title for Italy. Sinner’s win accomplished a 2-0 triumph for his nation towards the Netherlands and capped one other yr during which Italian tennis has loved appreciable success throughout the board.
“It has been an incredible yr. I’m very happy with the entire crew,” stated Sinner. “There’s a variety of work behind it and I’m very completely happy to carry this trophy once more. It was a really troublesome day immediately, as a result of something can occur.”
Sinner saved the one two break factors of the opening set towards Griekspoor, earlier than clinching it in a tie-break. Within the second set, he responded to letting slip an early break lead by reeling off 4 straight video games from 2-2 to earn a 91-minute victory and spark ecstatic celebrations amongst his teammates.
Phenomenal season. Unbelievable participant! 🦊 🇮🇹@janniksin shines once more to safe @federtennis their second consecutive Davis Cup title! 🏆@DavisCup | #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/Zl1aNtT6I5
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 24, 2024
The Australian Open, US Open and Nitto ATP Finals champion Sinner has completed his 2024 season with a 73-6 singles document, in keeping with the Infosys ATP Stats Win/Loss Index. The 23-year-old received his closing 14 tour-level matches of the season, and dropped only one set throughout that streak.
Earlier, Matteo Berrettini overcame Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2 to place his nation 1-0 up towards a Netherlands crew competing in its first Davis Cup closing. After a hard-fought opening towards Van de Zandschulp, Berrettini received 9 of 11 video games from 3-4 within the first set to enhance to 5-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence with the Dutchman.
“I’m simply so completely happy. Clearly final yr I used to be right here to help the crew, and this yr I introduced some factors to the trigger,” stated Berrettini, who missed his nation’s 2023 triumph after an injury-disrupted season. “Nevertheless it doesn’t matter who’s taking part in, we at all times put our coronary heart on the court docket. All people is giving their finest, that’s the secret to our crew.
“Additionally the fellows who’re again house, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi, they received some matches within the earlier stage that had been actually essential. It’s a very large crew and I’m very proud of the trophy.”
Matteo Berrettini” fashion=”width: 100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/photographs/information/2024/11/24/16/44/berrettini-davis-cup-2024-final.jpg”>
Matteo Berrettini celebrates after giving Italy a 1-0 lead within the Davis Cup Closing. Photograph Credit score: Jorge Guerrero/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Berrettini, who has this yr lifted ATP Tour crowns in Marrakech, Gstaad and Kitzbühel, received 86 per cent (30/35) of factors behind his first serve and didn’t face a break level en path to victory.
Italy, whose crew additionally included Lorenzo Musetti, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, is the primary nation to efficiently defend the Davis Cup crown since Czechia in 2013. Its third Davis Cup victory comes simply 4 days after the nation’s Hologic WTA Tour stars, which included Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini, lifted the Billie Jean King Cup trophy in Malaga.
“It’s superb, as a result of final yr we received for the primary time after 47 years,” stated Italy captain Filippo Volandri of his crew’s newest Davis Cup triumph. “However what I stated at the start of this journey to the gamers is, ‘We need to make historical past, and historical past is that if you are able to do it twice’. I used to be considering within the subsequent few years, nevertheless it occurred immediately and I’m so happy with this crew.”
Regardless of defeat within the closing, the Netherlands can mirror on a formidable week throughout which they posted the most effective Davis Cup lead to Dutch historical past. On Tuesday, it downed host nation Spain within the quarter-finals to convey an finish to Rafael Nadal’s historic profession. That tie additionally proved to be the ultimate time Wesley Koolhof competed as a professional, in a deciding doubles win alongside Van de Zandschulp towards Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers.
“I simply need to say a few phrases for Wesley Koolhof,” stated Sinner of the retiring doubles star. “He’s had an incredible profession. I feel everyone seems to be asking why he’s retiring, as a result of he performed amazingly on the finish of the yr and the entire yr. I want him all the most effective.”