Jannik Sinner 'really hungry' for more Davis Cup success with Italy after beating Australia in final
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Updated 27/11/2023 at 14:26 GMT
Jannik Sinner is backing a young Italy squad to win more Davis Cup titles - but says it is “special” to have “this feeling at least once” after beating Australia. After Matteo Arnaldi saw off Alexei Popyrin in a deciding set, Sinner secured Italy’s first Davis Cup win in 47 years in a 6-3 6-0 victory over Alex de Minaur. The world No. 4 was in imperious form all week, beating Novak Djokovic twice.
Highlights: Sensational Sinner leads Italy to first Davis Cup triumph in 47 years
Jannik Sinner is targeting more Davis Cup titles after Italy secured a first win in 47 years by beating Australia in the final in Malaga.
The world No. 4 brought his Nitto ATP Finals form into the team event, with two wins over Novak Djokovic across the singles and doubles in the semi-finals followed by the decisive victory in the final.
Matteo Arnaldi had put Italy 1-0 up with a hard fought 7-5 2-6 6-4 victory over Alexei Popyrin, and Sinner lost just three games on his way to thrashing Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-0 to win the trophy.
Italy were without injured former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini - who was in Spain supporting instead - but they had a squad full of depth, with Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego also options, and the experienced Simone Bolelli bringing his know-how.
“We know that we have a lot of potential in each of our players, also the captain and everyone”, Sinner said.
“I think we are all really young, except...Simone. He has played this for 15 years. So he gave us a lot of experience in one way, and I think this helps the players.
“We are all very young. We are really hungry to try to win it one more time in our life, but having this feeling at least once, it is a really special feeling.”
Sinner ended the season as one of the tour’s in-form players, but it was also a breakthrough year for Arnaldi - who reached the last 16 of the US Open in September.
Captain Filippo Volandri picked the 22-year-old over Musetti, who had come in for the semi-final win over Serbia.
It was an emotional day for Arnaldi, who revealed how much he has had to deal with off court recently.
“This match was very important and emotional for a few things”, he said.
“One, this year for me was the first time playing for my country. And then, a month ago, an important person passed away, my girlfriend’s father.
“I think I also blocked a bit for that, because I really wanted to win for all these reasons. It wasn't easy to play, but they gave me the power at the end to try to win the match.
Bolleli described the win as the “most incredible emotion of my career”, having played in the Davis Cup for 15 years.
But for Australia the feelings were very different, having lost the final for a second year running following their defeat to Canada in 2022.
“We are very, very close. It stinks like hell,” said De Minaur.
“I said last year in this same position, we’ll be back. We’ll get this. We’ve got a very, very strong future ahead of us”.
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