Italy secured their place in the Davis Cup final with a commanding 2-0 victory over Australia, as Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini delivered clutch performances.
Jannik Sinner, the world number one, continued his dominance over Alex de Minaur in a rematch of last year’s final, winning in straight sets.
He broke for 4-2 in the first set before closing it 6-3 and kept his composure in the second, breaking at 5-4 to seal the match 6-3, 6-4.
Matteo Berrettini set the tone earlier in the day with a gritty comeback against Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5.
Italy now moves on to face the Netherlands in Sunday’s final, with the Dutch reaching this stage for the first time ever.
Alex de Minaur describes what it’s like to play Jannik Sinner
Sinner continued his dominance over De Minaur, improving to a flawless 9-0 in their head-to-head record.
This year alone, he’s defeated the Australian in three critical matches, including their clash at the ATP Finals last week and the Rotterdam final in February.
De Minaur has repeatedly praised Sinner’s ability to elevate his game under pressure, making him one of the toughest opponents on tour.
The Australian said after his latest defeat: “It’s like trying to solve a puzzle that not many people have succeeded in. That’s probably the best way to describe it.
His ball speed and consistency make him maintain his focus throughout the match. So, if you want to go out there and beat him, you have to play your best tennis. Especially in crucial points, you have to step up.”
Continuing, De Minaur added: “He comes out, he’s solid, plays well, and in key moments, he takes that step forward. He’s a very tough player to face this year, just like other opponents have felt as well.”
Alex de Minaur has still had a 2024 season to be proud of
The Australian has made significant strides in 2024, solidifying his place among the elite in men’s tennis.
He broke into the Top 10 for the first time – reaching a career high of sixth in July – and is set to finish the season inside it, becoming the first Australian to do so since Lleyton Hewitt.
This breakthrough year also saw him make his debut at the ATP Finals to cap off a season where he picked up two titles.
De Minaur successfully defended his Acapulco title and added a second grass-court title to his résumé with a win in the Netherlands.
These achievements mark a career-best season for the Australian and a sign of even greater things to come as he targets a strong start in Melbourne next year.
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