Jannik Sinner had to work hard to overcome Tallon Griekspoor (ATP 40) 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in 1 hour and 31 minutes. After a first set won in the tiebreak without having had a single break point, the world No.1 managed to take his opponent's serve for the first time in the third game of the second set. Griekspoor immediately broke. But Sinner lined up two new breaks to offer, on his fourth match point, a third silver bowl to Italy, after those of 1976 and last year. Italy became the first team to win the title two years in a row since the Czech Republic in 2012 and 2013. The Netherlands were playing in their first final.
Davis Cup: worn by Jannik Sinner, Italy overthrows Argentina and advances to the semi-finals
The two teams had already met in the group stage, in Bologna, in September. Italy won 2-1. The Italians, defending champions and N.1 in the world rankings, also beat Brazil and Belgium, each time 2-1, during this first phase. During the 'Finals' in Malaga, Italy overthrew Argentina 2-1 in the quarter-finals then beat Australia 2-0 in the semi-finals, in the 'remake' of the final of the last year.
Sixth in the world rankings, the Dutch had to start with qualifying, where they beat Switzerland 3-2. They began the group stage with a 2-1 defeat against Belgium before a 2-1 victory against Brazil and the defeat against Italy. In Malaga, they eliminated hosts Spain 2-1, ending the career of legend Rafael Nadal, then beat Germany 2-0.
Italian Tennis achieves the double since on Wednesday the women's team won the Billie Jean King Cup.
