Jannik Sinner defeated
Tallon Griekspoor 7-6, 6-4, sealing a 2-0 victory for Italy and securing an
unprecedented
Davis Cup back-to-back championship. The World No. 1 delivered
another stellar performance, leading Italy to their third Davis Cup title (1976,
2023, 2024) and cementing his status as the team’s undisputed leader.
In the opening match of the
day,
Matteo Berrettini cruised past
Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2, setting
the stage for Sinner to clinch the title. The World No. 1 rose to the occasion,
capping off a dream season with Italy’s consecutive triumphs in the competition.
The last team to win back-to-back Davis Cup titles was the Czech Republic in
2012 and 2013.
Sinner seals the deal
In the first set, Sinner
faced early challenges on serve, giving up two break points in the third game,
but managed to fend them off with clutch serving to avoid falling behind. These
were the only break points either player faced in the set. Sinner showcased his
dominance with an 82% first serve percentage, winning 81% of those points.
Meanwhile, Griekspoor held a 68% first serve rate, winning an impressive 87% of
his points, forcing the set into a tiebreak.
The two-time Grand Slam
champion displayed his class when it mattered most, starting the tiebreak with
a minibreak and capitalizing on his first set point to secure a 7-6(2) lead,
leaving Italy just one set away from their historic achievement.
Griekspoor kept pace with
Sinner throughout the first set, but his efforts fell short at critical
moments. Sustaining that level proved difficult for the Dutchman, who had not
yet conceded a break point. In the second set, he gave Sinner his first break opportunity,
which the Italian seized to take the lead. However, in a surprising turn,
Griekspoor, with little to lose, began taking greater risks on his return
games, breaking back to level the score at 2-2.
Although it
seemed like the match was opening up, Sinner displayed his characteristic
composure, refusing to let the moment overwhelm him. From that point on, he was
unstoppable, securing two consecutive breaks and facing no issues on serve. The
Italian won 14 of the last 18 points played and, on his third match point,
secured the title for Italy for the second consecutive year with a 7-6(2), 6-2
victory, capping off an extraordinary season in the best possible way.