Genoa – Another historic day for Italian tennis. Something we haven’t seen for a long time. Of course, there is always Jannik Sinner involved but this time it is Italy that makes us dream. Against Serbia a feat was needed and the feat arrived: after 25 years Italy returns to the Davis Cup final.
The day, in reality, had not started off in the right direction. Captain Volandri chooses Musetti to face Kecmanovic and the decision, at least at the beginning, seemed right. After a not so good start, Musetti wins the first set 7-6 but then drops dramatically at 2-4 in the second set and, after losing 6-2, also loses the third 6-1. A problem with the left adductor was decisive and affected the Italian from mid-match onwards.
Thus the encore of the ATP Finals between Sinner and Djokovic it already becomes an in or out for the Azzurri. Jannik gets off to a great start and wins the first set 6-2. Then the match changes, the Djoker returns to his usual levels and gives the Italian 6-2 back. The third set is a concentration of technique and tension. In the second game Sinner takes 15 minutes to hold serve and then, with the Serbian ahead 5-4, he finds himself one step away from the abyss with three match points against him. Like a true champion, Sinner cancels them, holds serve, breaks Djokovic and then closes 7-5 with serve. Giant.
This brings us to the double which will once again be decisive. Volandri once again chooses the Sinner-Sonego pair while Serbia, somewhat surprisingly, sends Kecmanovic and Djokovic back onto the field. The first set is too good to be true: 6-3 for the blue couple without too many problems. The second was much more complicated with the Serbs who, after recovering a break deficit, fought point to point, came close to breaking Sinner’s serve but then, in an interminable seventh game, lost serve to Kecmanovic. At 4-3 and with Sonego serving, Italy holds and takes the lead at 5-3. He beats Djokovic and holds serve. At 5-4 it’s Sinner’s turn to serve for the match and as happens more and more often it’s a ruling: game, set match (6-3, 6-4).
Now on to the final. To bring the salad bowl back to Italy, the Australian obstacle remains to be overcome. The last before the triumph that has been missing since 1976, the only time Italy has won the Davis Cup in its history.
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