Davis Cup: Sinner Leads Italy to Final Against the Netherlands

Defending champion Italy advanced to the Davis Cup final alongside the Netherlands after defeating 28-time winner Australia 2-0 in the semifinals on Saturday in Málaga, Spain.

The Netherlands had shocked Germany with a 2-0 victory in the other semifinal on Friday, reaching the final for the first time in 104 years.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who had never lost to Alex de Minaur in their nine previous encounters, including last year’s Davis Cup final, sealed Italy’s spot with a 6-3, 6-4 win in Málaga.

Matteo Berrettini had earlier given Italy the lead with a hard-fought victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis, prevailing 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 7-5 in two hours and 46 minutes.

Sinner expressed his joy, saying, “Winning the Davis Cup last year gave me one of the best feelings ever. We are happy to return to the final. It will be a tough match, but we’ll give our all.”

Australia, with the second-most Davis Cup titles (28) after the United States (32), failed to keep their hopes alive for a first title since 2003, having lost in the finals of the past two editions.

Sinner, champion of the Australian Open, US Open, and the ATP Finals this year, now has the opportunity to crown his exceptional season with a second Davis Cup title.