Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner secured a historic Davis Cup victory for his nation on Sunday, overpowering Australia’s Alex De Minaur and clinching a 2-0 triumph for the Azzurri. Sinner’s dominant performance marked Italy’s first Davis Cup title since 1976, and only their second in history.
The week unfolded as a perfect showcase of Sinner’s prowess, culminating in a flawless 5-0 record, including a remarkable victory against Novak Djokovic in the semi-final. Sinner’s heroics continued as he joined forces with teammate Lorenzo Sonego to defeat Djokovic and his partner Miomir Kecmanovic in doubles, securing Italy’s spot in the final against 28-time champions Australia.
Facing off against Alexei Popyrin in the first singles clash, Matteo Arnaldi set the tone for Italy’s success by outlasting his opponent 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. Sinner then delivered the finishing touch, dismantling De Minaur with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 victory.
Sinner’s unstoppable run saw him break De Minaur’s serve early in the first set, dominating with relentless power from the baseline. The Italian’s exceptional form persisted until he sealed the victory on his third match point, triggering celebrations among teammates, officials, and a jubilant Italian crowd at the Malaga arena.
Reflecting on the historic win, Sinner expressed gratitude, stating, “It helps a lot to play for the whole team, and it’s been an incredible feeling for all of us.” Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni joined the chorus of congratulations on social media, hailing the achievement as a “historic result” and commending the players and staff for their talent and commitment.
Captain Filippo Volandri’s decision to include Arnaldi in the singles lineup paid off handsomely, as the resilient player secured a crucial win in the opening singles clash. With Sinner’s exceptional form, Australia faced a daunting task, especially considering De Minaur’s history of losses to the Italian in their previous five encounters.
De Minaur acknowledged Sinner’s outstanding confidence and prowess, conceding, “Jannik is riding this amazing wave of confidence. Today, I just didn’t have enough.” The defeat marked a second consecutive year of disappointment for Lleyton Hewitt’s Australia, who had lost to Canada in the 2022 final.
Looking ahead, Italy and Australia have automatically qualified for the 16-nation Finals next year, spanning four cities. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Sunday that the Final Eight will once again be hosted in Malaga, ensuring the continuation of this thrilling chapter in Davis Cup history.
