Italy defended the Davis Cup Finals trophy in Malaga! Led by world no. 1 Jannik Sinner, the Italians were the favorites to lift another Davis Cup trophy. They passed three obstacles in Malaga and celebrated a massive success after ousting the Netherlands 2-0 in the title clash.
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Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner sealed the deal for the defending champions, beating a surprising finalists and finishing the season on a high note. Sinner gained a massive boost at the Davis Cup Finals a year ago. He stormed over the field this season, hoping for another great run in 2025.
Matteo Berrettini pushes Italy in front
Matteo Berrettini faced Botic van de Zandschulp in the first rubber and scored a 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 16 minutes. Thus, he almost secured the trophy for Italy, with Sinner standing as a massive favorite against Griekspoor. Berrettini blasted 16 aces and lost 13 points in his games.
He kept his rival away from break chances and kept the pressure on the other side. Botic played well this week in Malaga but could not repeat that in the second part of the final. He struggled behind the second serve and got broken three times from four chances presented to his opponent.
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They served well in the opening eight games of the duel. Matteo took charge from 3-4, taking 12 of the final 14 points and making the difference with a break in game nine. The Italian served well in the second set and made two pushes on the return.
Berrettini grabbed breaks in games three and seven, building the advantage and sending Italy in front with a service winner in game eight.
Jannik Sinner seals the deal for his country
Jannik Sinner wrapped up a perfect week in Malaga with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Tallon Griekspoor, delivering the title for his country. Thus, he wrapped up the season with a 73-6 score, embracing one of the finest runs in the Open era. Jannik defeated Tallon for the sixth timefrom as many duels.
Interestingly, they fought in Malaga a year ago as well, with the Italian delivering a similar 7-6, 6-1 win. Griekspoor fought well in the opener, generating two break chances in the third game and following the rival's pace. However, he lost a tie break 7-2 and faded from the court in set number two.
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World no. 1 served at 73% and fired 15 aces. He controlled the pace behind the first serve and defended two of three break points. Griekspoor could not follow those numbers. Hedropped37% of the points in his games and sufferedthree breaks from five chances presented to Jannik.
The Italian cracked a backhand winner in the first game of the encounter and held at 15. The Dutchman followed that pace in the second game and stepped in on the return in the next one. He created two break points, and Sinner denied them to avoid an early setback.
Tallon claimed the fourth game with a powerful serve, locking the result at 2-2. Jannik repeated that in the fifth game and repeated that two games later for 4-3 in 24 minutes. Griekspoor locked the result at 4-4 with a service winner and served to stay in the set at 4-5.
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The Dutchman drew the rival's mistake, holding and extending the battle. World no. 1 landed an ace in the 11th game before the lower-ranked player introduced a tie break with a booming serve in the next one. Tallon missed a routine backhand in the second point, falling 2-0 behind.
Sinner landed a drop shot winner in the seventh point for another mini-break and a 5-2 lead. He generated four set points and landed an ace on the first, wrapping up the opener in 50 minutes and gaining a boost. They served well at the beginning of the second set before Jannik stepped in.
The Italian created a break chance after the Dutchman's backhand error. Hewelcomed another loose shot from the other side for the first break of the duel. Tallon cracked a backhand winner in the fourth game for 30-15 and pulled the break back for more drama.
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Griekpsoor squandered game points at 2-2 and hit a double fault on the second break point, sending world no. 1 3-2 in front. Sinner drew the opponent's mistake in the sixth game, holding at love and opening a 4-2 advantage. The Dutchman lost the ground behind the initial shot.
He sent a volley wide in the seventh game, losing serve at 15 and suffering the third straight break. Jannik served for Italy's title at 5-2 and created three match points with a powerful serve. He missed them and allowed Tallon to reach a deuce.
However, the Italian landed a strong serve on the fourth match point, sealing the deal and wrapping up his incredible season with another trophy.
