Sinner seals Davis Cup crown for Italy to cap standout season

Jannik Sinner completed his sensational year by leading Italy to a successful defence of the Davis Cup with victory over the Netherlands in the final on Sunday.

The world number one eased to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 triumph against Tallon Griekspoor for the winning point after Matteo Berrettini had put the defending champions ahead with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win against Botic van de Zandschulp.

Sinner ends 2024 with titles at the Australian Open, US Open and the ATP Finals.

“The whole team is amazing, we tried to defend our title and we have done it, so we’re extremely happy... there’s a lot of work behind it,” said Sinner as Italy won the Davis Cup for a third time.

Italy became the first team to defend the title since the Czech Republic in 2013, and the fifth nation to win it along with the Billie Jean King Cup in the same season.

Strong Italian support, along with an orange wall of Dutch fans, made for a fine atmosphere at the Martin Carpena arena, with the Netherlands in the final for the first time in 104 years of trying.

Defeating Sinner this year has been nigh on impossible for most players, let alone with the pressure of carrying a nation’s hopes on their shoulders.

Griekspoor, ranked 40th, has now lost all six meetings with Sinner.

The Italian produced three aces in the first game in an ominous start but Griekspoor battled remarkably well.

He opened up two break points in the third game but Sinner saved both and held when the Dutchman sent a return wide.

Serving brilliantly, Griekspoor twice held to love and hit two aces in the 12th game to force a tie-break.

Sinner secured an early mini-break and another for a 5-2 lead, firing down his 12th ace to take the first set.

The Italian brought up and converted his first break point of the match to take a 2-1 lead in the second set.

Griekspoor produced a backhand winner to drag his way back on serve but undid his good work with a double fault that allowed Sinner to break again for a 3-2 lead, backed up with a hold to love.

The game was up for the Dutch and Sinner broke again in the seventh game before sealing his triumph with his fourth match point with a scorching serve Griekspoor could not return.

Berrettini edged the first set against Van de Zandschulp but hit his peak in the second and left the Dutchman no chance, winning in 76 minutes.

Agence France-Presse