Davis Cup Finals: Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini put Italy in final with win over Australia
Sinner’s victory over De Minaur was perhaps unsurprising – he had won all eight of the pair’s previous meetings, including a 6-3 6-0 victory in last year’s Davis Cup tie.
The Italian dominated the first set, using all his effortless power to get past De Minaur and put his team within a whisker of the final.
The second set was more competitive, but De Minaur stayed in touch on serve at 4-4, blinking first and Sinner quickly serving to win, much to the delight of the crowd.
Sinner has won his last 24 ATP Tour matches and has not lost a match since the second round of the Shanghai Masters in early October.
“Winning the Davis Cup last year was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” said Sinner, who won the Australian and U.S. Open titles this year. “We’re excited to be back in the finals.”
Berrettini could have made his game easier if he had taken his chances in the first set against Kokkinakis.
The Italian served for a 6-5 lead and held a set point, but a shaky forehand forced a tiebreak.
Berrettini again had two set points on the break but failed to convert, and Kokkinakis’ efforts paid off as he sealed the first set.
Kokkinakis had a break point early in the second set, but Berrettini held his ground, holding serve with three powerful serves and taking advantage of his opponent’s nerves to force a decider.
The third set was a stalemate again until Berrettini turned the tide with a brilliant forehand on Kokkinakis’ serve at 5-5.
Two errors by Kokkinakis handed the key break to Berrettini, who won the serve and gave the team a perfect start.
