Team Italy ends the year with a title after beating Australia 2-0 in the final of the Davis Cup on Sunday. Jannik Sinner, who lost to Novak Djokovic at the final of the ATP Finals last week, pushed his team to victory after a resounding two-set win over Australia’s Alex De Minaur. Sinner was also responsible for booting Serbia from the event after defeating Djokovic in the semi-finals.
This victory marks Italy’s first Davis Cup title in nearly 50 years, as they have not won it since 1976. For Australia, this is their second loss at the final after losing to Canada last year.
Sinner’s heroic performances sent waves of joy through his teammates and the passionate Italian crowd present at the game, including Matteo Berrettini, who skipped the event due to injury.
The opening match between Matteo Arnaldi and Alexei Popyrin set the stage for Italy’s triumph. Arnaldi, despite evident nerves and pressure, prevailed over Popyrin in a hard-fought battle, winning 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. The victory proved crucial, considering Australia’s strength in doubles.
In the must-win clash against De Minaur, Sinner demonstrated why he is considered a potential superstar. Despite De Minaur’s strong record in the competition, Sinner’s powerful game dictated proceedings. Breaking De Minaur’s serve twice in the opening set, Sinner secured the decisive victory that crowned Italy as the Davis Cup champions.
A tearful Arnaldi expressed the emotional significance of the win, dedicating it to a significant person in his life who passed away a month ago. The victory was not only a personal milestone for Arnaldi but also a testament to the unpredictable nature of Davis Cup matches.
De Minaur, aware of his opponent’s dominance in their previous encounters, fought valiantly but could not overcome Sinner’s formidable game. Sinner, reflecting on the team effort, highlighted the incredible feeling shared by all members, as he said: “Yesterday, we were one point from being out, and now we can celebrate the win. I think we can all be very, very happy.”
Leon Osamor
