"One of the best No. 1 in history": Guillermo Coria lauds Jannik Sinner after Argentina’s elimination

Friday, 22 November 2024 at 21:40

Argentina’s Davis Cup captain Guillermo Coria stated that Jannik Sinner is one of the best world No. 1s in history following the team’s quarterfinal loss in the Finals. The South American team came close to achieving a historic upset after starting the series with a win, but Sinner led Italy to turn the tie around.

In the first match, Francisco Cerundolo surprised Lorenzo Musetti with a straight-sets victory, giving Argentina a great chance to eliminate the defending champions. Sinner then overwhelmed Sebastian Baez in the second match with a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win to level the series.

From shocking start to Italian glory

In the deciding doubles match, Italian captain Filippo Volandri made a bold decision, leaving out doubles specialists Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori to field Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini. The duo secured a 6-4, 7-5 win over Argentina’s doubles experts Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, sending Italy to the semifinals.

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Sinner, who is enjoying a near-unbeatable streak, claimed the ATP Finals title just four days prior (his eighth title of the season) and now boasts a stunning 70-6 record in 2025. Argentina’s captain Guillermo Coria reflected on the challenge of facing a player in such formidable form: “We all knew Sinner’s level, the moment he is in. We faced one of the best number ones in history. His level did not surprise us at all,” the former French Open finalist said.

“Because of that, one has to take into account three important things: how our players are physically, also the power of the rival and the alternatives we have to form in each of the points,” the former world No. 3 added. “Italy showed great respect for our doubles, leaving out a very competitive pair that came from the Finals and fielding the No 1 in the world even with little rest behind him.

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“We were almost sure that it would have gone like this in the event of 1-1. Gonzalez and Molteni were prepared for this eventuality and I never thought of putting a singles player in their place. They deservedly won, we congratulate them.”

On Saturday, Sinner and company will face Australia in the semifinals, in a repeat of the 2023 final. The Oceanians have just eliminated the USA and will be looking for revenge against an Italian team that looks favored to retain the title.

These two 🔥#DavisCup | @MattBerrettini | @sinner pic.twitter.com/koLbLZt3xB
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 21, 2024

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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