- By Jess Anderson
- BBC Sport
Image supply, Getty Images
Italy had reached the ultimate 4 occasions since their win in 1976
A dominant Jannik Sinner outclassed Australia’s Alex de Minaur to assist Italy safe their first Davis Cup title for 47 years.
Matteo Arnaldi beat Alexei Popyrin 7-5 2-6 6-4 in a nervy opening singles match to place Italy 1-0 up in Malaga, Spain.
Sinner then backed up his sterling week with a 6-3 6-0 win over De Minaur.
“It has been an unbelievable feeling for all of us, clearly we’re actually comfortable,” Sinner mentioned.
It is the second time Italy have lifted the Davis Cup, having beforehand received the title in 1976.
There have been scenes of jubilation because the Italy workforce flooded on the court docket to rejoice with Sinner, who raised his arms within the air after De Minaur’s backhand skewed vast to make sure victory.
Australia have been bidding for a twenty ninth Davis Cup title however have now misplaced back-to-back finals, having been crushed by Canada final 12 months.
Sinner oozes class to safe ‘historic outcome’
Italy arrived for the ultimate eight with some expectation round them, largely due to Sinner’s stellar kind.
The 22-year-old has misplaced simply three of his previous 23 matches, successful titles in Montpellier, Toronto, Beijing and Vienna, and beat world primary Novak Djokovic within the ATP Finals round-robin phases.
World quantity 4 Sinner had already starred for Italy on Saturday, saving three match factors in opposition to Djokovic to stage the tie in opposition to Serbia earlier than partnering Lorenzo Sonego to victory within the doubles to ebook Italy’s ultimate spot.
“We stored every part collectively. Yesterday, we have been one level from being out and now we will rejoice the win. I believe we will all be very, very comfortable,” mentioned Sinner.
“Huge due to Matteo Berrettini too. He’s had a really, very robust 12 months with a variety of accidents and it means lots to all of us that he got here right here along with his constructive power.”
Sinner set out his intentions early in opposition to De Minaur, breaking within the third recreation earlier than changing his second set level when the Australian overhit a lob.
A ruthless efficiency within the second set gave De Minaur no hope of a comeback as he struggled on serve, whereas Sinner revelled within the help from a raucous crowd.
It was a relentless efficiency from Sinner, who confronted only one break level within the match and transformed 5 of his personal 10 alternatives.
Arnaldi had acquired Italy off to a dream begin in opposition to Popyrin in a tense first singles match.
In a tough opening set, each gamers exchanged breaks of function Popyrin, ranked fortieth on the earth, saved set factors however was wasteful along with his personal alternatives, handing the Italian the primary set when he pushed a return into the online.
The Australian discovered his rhythm within the second set, racing to a double-break benefit earlier than serving out to pressure a decider.
But the nerves that appeared to have dissipated within the second set returned within the third as Popyrin squandered eight break factors earlier than Arnaldi seized his second on Popyrin’s serve, changing his first match level.
“I received probably the most essential matches in my life. I do not know what to say proper now,” an emotional Arnaldi mentioned on court docket after his victory.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X: “A historic outcome – congratulations to our gamers for the expertise and dedication they’ve proven and in addition to all of the workers.”
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller in Malaga
The head-to-head document – that was Sinner’s sixth win out of six in opposition to De Minaur – advised an Italian win, however the method of the 22-year-old’s victory was fairly breathtaking.
An ideal 5 wins in every week, certainly one of them from three match factors right down to Djokovic in Saturday’s semi-final, underlined Sinner’s late-season brilliance.
Djokovic received the Davis Cup with Serbia as a 23-year-old and by no means regarded again. Will we sooner or later say related about Sinner?
In some ways, although, the hero of the day was one other 22-year-old – the world quantity 44 Arnaldi, who fought off break factors left, proper and centre earlier than pinching victory in opposition to Popyrin.
The environment all week was fabulous. Debate about one of the best format for the competitors will proceed, however there will be little question Malaga and the International Tennis Federation placed on an excellent present.
Matteo Berrettini was there to rejoice along with his compatriots however missed out on the match by harm
