(Málaga) Jannik Sinner allowed Italy to reach the Davis Cup final by signing two consecutive victories against Novak Djokovic, the world number one.
Sinner triumphed in singles and doubles against Djokovic to help Italy come from behind to defeat Serbia 2-1 on Saturday.
Miomir Kecmanovic first beat Lorenzo Musetti in three sets of 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-1 to propel Serbia ahead 1-0 in this semi-final. Djokovic had his country one victory away from the final before his singles duel against Sinner.
Sinner, however, saved three match points before stopping Djokovic’s Davis Cup singles winning streak at 21. The Italian had the upper hand 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 to tie the match.
“For me, personally, it’s a huge disappointment, because I take responsibility for this defeat,” Djokovic explained. I had three match points and I was so close to winning. When you lose representing your country, it tastes even more bitter. »
It was a third clash between Djokovic and Sinner in 12 days. Sinner defeated Djokovic in the group stage of the ATP Finals, but the latter overcame the Italian in the final to sign a record seventh title at this tournament on Sunday.
“It helps a lot that the last event of the season is a team event because you get a lot of energy from your teammates and your team,” Sinner said. The atmosphere is also different. I really had fun playing today. It was a good match and at the end of it I was really happy for the team to at least be able to play the deciding doubles match. »
Sinner and teammate Lorenzo Sonego then defeated Djokovic and Kecmanovic in two sets of 6-3, 6-4 in the ultimate doubles showdown.
Italy now faces Australia in Sunday’s final on the hard court in Malaga, Spain. Italy’s only Davis Cup title dates back to 1976 and its last final came in 1998.
Djokovic, meanwhile, was looking to cap off a superb season, in which he won three Grand Slam titles, by helping Serbia reach the Davis Cup final for the first time in a decade. Serbia recorded its only title at this tournament in 2010.
