World no. 1 Jannik Sinner led Italy toward a 2-1 victory over Argentina in the Davis Cup Finals quarter-final in Malaga. The world's best player had to beat Sebastian Baez in the second rubber and scored a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over Sebastian Baez in 72 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sinner extended the winning streak following another rock-solid performance. The Italian took charge on serve and return and moved over the top in style, delivering his tenth Davis Cup singles victory from 11 matches. The two-time Major winner defended all four break points in one loose service game,keepingthe pressure on the other side.
Baez served at 71% but gained nothing from that. He dropped almost 60% of the points in his games and suffered fourbreaks from nine chances presented to Sinner. The Italian tamed his strokes nicely and kept the pressure on the other side. He took charge ofpivotal points to emerge at the top in style.
Jannik held at 15 in the first game of the encounter and landed a backhand winner in the third game for a 2-1 lead. The Italian generated three break chances in the fourth game and drew the rival's backhand error for a break at love and a 3-1 advantage.
World no. 1 landed winners in the fifthgame, cementing the break and extending the gap. Sebastian reached a deuce on the return in the seventh game before missing a forehand andfalling 5-2 behind. Baezserved to stay in the set in game eight and experienced more issues.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jannik generated six set points and seized the last with a volley winner at the net, wrapping up the opener 6-2 in 36 minutes and gathering a boost. Sinner held at 30 in the first game of the second set and welcomed the rival's backhand error in the next one for a break and a 2-0 lead.
World no. 1 made another push on the return in the fourth game, delivering a break at love and forging a 4-0 advantage. After that, the Italian played his only loose service game, presenting his rival with four break chances. Jannik defended them and held after Sebastian's forehand error for 5-0.
Baez served to stay in the match in game six and landed a rare service winner to close it and avoid a bagel. Sinner served for the win at 5-1 and cracked a forehand down the line winner, sealing the deal and keeping Italy alive.
