By Canadian Press

Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands in Davis Cup. Italians reach semis for 2nd straight season

Nov 23, 2023 | 11:24 AM

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Jannik Sinner kept Italy alive by winning his singles match and then successfully teamed up with Lorenzo Sonego in the doubles against the Netherlands to send his nation into the semifinals of the Davis Cup on Thursday. 

Italy rallied to a 2-1 win to reach the last-four for the second straight season. Without Sinner, the Italians were eliminated by eventual champion Canada last year.

The Netherlands got the first point when Botic van de Zandschulp saved two match points to beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (6) 6-3 7-6 (7) in a thrilling opening singles that lasted nearly 3 hours. 

The fourth-ranked Sinner beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (3) 6-1 to make it 1-1 and then, along with Sonego, defeated Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof 6-3, 6-4 in the decisive doubles. 

The 22-year-old Sinner was coming off a runner-up finish to Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals last week.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

22h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

23h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

23h ago

The Italians won their lone Davis Cup title in 1976, and will be seeking a first final appearance since 1998. Italy has reached seven semifinals this century.

The Netherlands, in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year, was trying to match its best-ever performance from a semifinal appearance in 2001. 

Italy will face the winner of the quarterfinal match between Novak Djokovic’s Serbia and Great Britain later Thursday.

Australia and Finland will play in the other semifinal match on Friday. Finland eliminated Canada in the quarterfinals.

___

AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

The Associated Press