The mighty Azzurri won the Davis Cup title for the second time as they beat Australia 2-0 in the final on Sunday. Matteo Arnaldi outlasted Alexei Popyrin in the first singles clash before Italy’s number one, Jannik Sinner, clinched the title with an easy win against the world No 12. Sinner was in devastating form as he dismantled his Australian opponent with vicious ground strokes to the delight of the Italian-dominant crowd at the packed Martin Carpena arena in Malaga. Sinner, who saved three match points against Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals and partnered Lorenzo Sonego to a doubles victory, now leads De Minaur 6-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
It was a fitting conclusion to a brilliant week for the 22-year-old, who led Italy to their first title in nearly five decades. The World No 4 starred in Saturday’s quarter-final against Djokovic and was crucial in a doubles win with Sonego in the semi-final against Serbia to ensure his side secured a place in the final. He starred again in the decisive rubber with his stunning victory against the youthful Aussies.
With his team-mates gathered around him, Sinner produced a masterclass to outclass his younger opponent and seal the deal. After a slow start in the opening set, the Italian broke twice in the third game to take command of the match. He had a chance to win the match in the sixth game but could not convert a second break point, although Popyrin squandered a further four.
The second set was much more one-sided as Sinner smothered De Minaur ruthlessly, breaking in the first and fifth games to take control. He raced into a 4-0 lead in the second set, and only De Minaur’s lob error gave him any hope of a comeback.
It was too little too late for the spirited Australians, who lost a fourth straight final since 1998 and remain without a grand slam title. The victory puts a thumping stamp on Sinner’s brilliant year, which has already seen him climb to World No. 4, secure his maiden Masters 1000 title, and thrash De Minaur in a lopsided clash at the ATP Finals.
Italy’s only other title in the elite men’s team competition was in 1976. The triumph also confirms that Italy has a new star in Sinner, who is on track for an extensive career in the sport after a glittering year that has included a stellar ranking rise, a maiden Masters crown, and two wins over Djokovic.
Despite their 2-0 defeat, Australia have another shot at the trophy next year as they face a rematch of the final with Canada in Montreal in May.
This will be the first occasion since 2023 that the Azzurri will play in a rematch of a final, having been defeated 2-0 by Canada in last season’s final. They have also reached a European Final in the last three years.
