Davis Cup, Italy triumphs and makes an encore with Berrettini and Sinner

World champions for the second consecutive year! Italy won the Davis Cup by overcoming the Netherlands (who reached the final for the first time in history) in Malaga, thanks to the successes of Matteo Berrettini over Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2, and Jannik Sinner over Tallon Griekspoor (7-6, 6-2). The epilogue we all hoped for became reality (the azzurri had already won against the Dutch in the preliminary round last September in Bologna).

Berrettini, 28 years old and currently number 35 in the world, showed the same grit seen in the marathon against Kokkinakis in the semifinals, accelerating with his forehand whenever he could and of course using his serve like a bazooka. Van de Zandschulp (80th in the rankings and winner against Rafa Nadal in the quarters) held out well in the first set until 4:00, when he suffered a break at zero (serving only second balls) and then conceded, with a forehand response into the net, on Matteo's first set point. In the second set point, Matteo, who had already broken at 1:1 and won his service game (with a beautiful long forehand run), thanks to a double fault by his opponent. From 2:1 in his favour, the Italian grew, increased the pressure and broke the Dutchman again on 4-2, by then in disarray, and closed 6-2 (thanks also to three of the 16 aces of the match) in front of a rapt audience.

Having won the first singles, the awareness of being one step away from the goal became tangible, even though Sinner's match with Griekspoor was anything but easy, with the aggressive and physically exuberant Dutchman and the Italian committing a few unusual errors in his game. So Jannik saved two break points at the beginning of the first set, held - supported by his service - until 6 even, then raised the level in the tiebreak like the champion he is, with a wonderful short ball on 4-2 in his favour and the ace that ended the set.

The start of the second partial was also painful. The Italian broke his opponent on 1 break, then immediately suffered a counter-break with a Griekspoor in a state of grace at the net, and on 2 par went back ahead 3-2 thanks to a double fault by the Dutchman (disturbed by the public between the first and second), in a now very tense match. From that moment on, however, Sinner made almost no more mistakes against the declining world number 40. The 6-2 victory was inevitable (and Jannik's sixth win in the direct clashes with the Dutchman), even on the fourth match point: converted, needless to say, with an ace... to the great celebration of the entire Italian team! In tears Matteo Berrettini, supporter from the bench last year and protagonist on the court this year.

It is an important day for Italian tennis also because it is a confirmation: one year it can happen that there is a favourable conjuncture and you win the Davis Cup... two years in a row is the consecration of a clear and unquestionable reality, of a close-knit group, of the contribution of individuals (the points brought by Matteo Arnaldi and Flavio Cobolli in Bologna should also be remembered), of a captain who makes the right choices, even when they are bold. And, ça va sans dire, the world number one who makes the difference. A reality that goes hand in hand with that of the women's Italy, fresh winners of the Billie Jean King Cup, also in Malaga: an unforgettable autumn.