The Davis Cup has a unique ability to symbolize important moments in a player’s career, revealing strengths that may only emerge when facing the pressure of representing a team rather than just oneself. With the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd at Málaga’s Palacio de Deportes, Jannik Sinner appeared to make significant progress as he led Italy to a 2-1 victory over Serbia, securing their spot in the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1998.
During his third match in 11 days against the top-ranked player in the world, Sinner found himself in a tough spot with a 4-5 score and facing triple match point on his serve in the final set. Despite the odds, he managed to make an incredible comeback and defeat Djokovic 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. Later, he joined forces with Lorenzo Sonego for the deciding doubles match and they were able to defeat Djokovic and Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-4 to secure the victory.
Italy will face Australia in the final on Sunday, as they were the runners-up in last year’s competition. On Friday, Australia beat Finland 2-0 to secure their spot in the final.
“I am elated for our team and grateful for this opportunity,” expressed Sinner. “We are aware of the magnitude of this moment, but we will also make an effort to remain calm and maintain a positive mindset. It is crucial to keep a smile on our faces and appreciate the experience. This is a significant milestone for us as it marks my first time playing in the Davis Cup final.”
The tie started on Saturday afternoon and ultimately became chaotic, but it kicked off with a fantastic performance from Kecmanovic. He secured the first point for Serbia by defeating Lorenzo Musetti with a score of 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-1.
The top-ranked player in the world and the second-ranked player in recent months faced off once more. During the ATP Finals group stage, Sinner and Djokovic battled for three hours, resulting in Sinner’s first win against the 24-time grand slam champion. However, Djokovic emerged victorious in the final match, defeating Sinner.
On this occasion, Sinner started the game by hitting the ball with great force from both sides, with the goal of quickly getting into the court and dominating the baseline. The 22-year-old consistently pressured Djokovic with his speed and powerful shots, forcing him to play from behind the baseline as he easily won the set.
Djokovic appeared to lack energy initially, but he managed to increase his level of play in the second set with strong serving and defensive skills that caused his opponent, an Italian player, to make mistakes. The 36-year-old ended the set in a dominant position at the baseline, using powerful forehand shots to secure a third set.
In the last round, the intensity had significantly increased, as both competitors were executing strong serves and confidently going on the offensive. However, it was clear that the game was leaning towards one outcome. Djokovic consistently applied pressure during Sinner’s service games, while easily winning his own. His 0-40 advantage on Sinner’s serve was a direct result of his dominant performance.
After being behind three match points, Sinner rose to the challenge and demonstrated his resilience. He delivered exceptional serves and aggressively pushed forward. He secured five consecutive points to maintain his hold on the game. As the crowd cheered for the Italian, Djokovic crumbled under the weight of the moment. In a crucial moment at 5-5, Djokovic attempted a serve and volley but failed, allowing Sinner to complete an incredible comeback and claim the biggest victory of his career with a confident hold.
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After thirty minutes, Sinner and Djokovic prepared for the final doubles match. Djokovic’s abilities in doubles are not as strong as they are in singles. Sinner and Sonego, with their powerful serves, weapons, and aggressive net play, maintained composure throughout two intense sets and won the match.
Later on, Djokovic commended Sinner’s performance and extended his congratulations, but he expressed his disappointment as well: “Personally, it’s a major letdown for me. I take full responsibility, especially since I had three match points and was so close to winning. It’s truly unfortunate. But that’s the nature of sports. Losing for your country only adds to the bitter feeling,” he stated.
Sinner had a successful afternoon, winning two matches and becoming the first player to defeat Djokovic twice in one day. He also made history by coming back from being down triple match point against Djokovic. Additionally, he ended Djokovic’s 21-match winning streak in the Davis Cup, which had been ongoing since 2011.
There has always been certainty about Sinner’s precise and powerful shot-making abilities and his continuously developing game based on those strengths. However, he began the year with uncertainties about his mental strength against top competitors during crucial moments. Now, he is proving that he has what it takes to compete for major titles in the future.
Source: theguardian.com
