Jannik Sinner impressed reigning champions Italy to a comeback victory over Argentina which arrange a Davis Cup semi-final in opposition to Australia.
World primary Sinner saved Italy in competition after Lorenzo Musetti’s loss to Francisco Cerundolo with a commanding straight-set win over Sebastian Baez.
The 23-year-old then partnered Matteo Berrettini to a 6-4 7-5 victory in opposition to Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez within the deciding doubles match to finish the turnaround in Malaga.
In a repeat of final yr’s title decider, Italy face Australia for a spot in Sunday’s last after they beat the US 2-1 earlier on Thursday.
In search of to finish an excellent particular person season by serving to Italy retain the Davis Cup, Sinner broke Baez’s serve twice in each units in a simple win.
The in-form Sinner won the ATP Finals title on Sunday to cap a yr during which he additionally gained the primary two Grand Slam titles of his profession, nonetheless he has additionally been embroiled in an ongoing doping controversy.
World quantity 30 Cerundolo produced an excellent efficiency to offer Argentina the right begin, closing out a 6-4 6-1 win over Seventeenth-ranked Musetti by profitable 12 of the final 15 video games after struggling an early break.
However Sinner, who solely arrived in Spain on Tuesday – two days after triumphing in Turin – returned following his singles victory to accomplice the superb Berrettini and keep Italy’s hopes of profitable back-to-back titles.
“The courtroom could be very quick and I have not had a lot time to adapt, however a very powerful factor was to maintain Italy alive,” mentioned Sinner.
Italy captain Filippo Volandri, talking about Sinner’s contribution, mentioned: “He by no means practised on this courtroom since he arrived. Inside three minutes [of his singles match] he was completely comfy. He’s a particular one.”
Italy are searching for to develop into solely the sixth nation to retain the Davis Cup because the last stage was launched 52 years in the past, and first because the Czech Republic in 2013.
Germany beat Canada on Wednesday to verify a semi-final in opposition to the Netherlands on Friday, who knocked out Spain within the final tournament of Rafael Nadal’s career.
