Whoever believed that Jannik Sinner (22) was going to sink after the punishment that Novak Djokovic (36) had inflicted on him a week ago in the final of the masters cup (double 6-3 then) was wrong.
The red-haired Italian multiplied this Saturday and his display has facilitated the victory of the Italians over Djokovic’s Serbia in the semifinals of the Davis Cup being held in Malaga (2-1). Although Miomir Kecmanovic had surprised Lorenzo Musetti in the first match of the day (6-7(7), 6-2 and 6-1), Sinner, currently the fourth racket in the world, was not intimidated later, when he faced to the world number 1, whom he has beaten in three sets, 6-2, 2-6 and 7-5.
The Italian’s prowess has strengthened him before the final duel, the doubles match, which in theory he was not going to compete.
Initially, the Italians had the Bolelli-Sonego duo, but Sinner’s state of form and spirit made Filippo Volandri, captain of the Italians, choose to incorporate him to replace Bolelli.
The decision has been a success.
Both Sinner and Sonego have loaded the game on Kecmanovic, ignoring Djokovic, and the Serbs have ended up compromising (6-3 and 6-4). Italy, which has only won the tournament once (1976, during the times of Panatta, Barazzutti and Bertolucci), will play this Sunday (4pm) for the title against the Australia of De Miñaur and Popyrin, a country that has accumulated 28 salad bowls but no adds none more since 2003.
