Where is the victory? Request the anthem of Italy. In Malaga they respond Matteo Berrettini first and Jannik sinner After. His victories against Van de Zanschulp (6-4, 6-2) and Griekspoor (6-3, 6-2) respectively confirm the arrival of the Italian team for the second consecutive year in the national tennis paradise. Italy is the Davis Cup champion. Inhospitable territory in the previous 46.
They say that when something works, it’s better not to touch it. The Berrettini and Sinner formula gave excellent results in the semi-final. Why change? I had to think Filippo Volandricaptain of the Italian team. Matteo first, Jannik later and another Saladera on the move. Impeccable track record.
“I hope to enjoy the track again this Sunday,” prayed Berrettini during his conversation with OKDIARIO 24 hours before the competition. The Italian feels at home, with the support of a large part of the stands dyed blue for the occasion. The Italian is reborn in this Davis. Van de Zandschulp is diluted by his push. It can offer little resistance to cannon fire coming from the other side of the track.
His body language remains persistent. Slow pace and unchanged face. He clings to his serve from the first moments. Berrettini does the same. Until Van de Zandschulp went bankrupt. Matteo realizes. It was time to push. The station wagon is targeted with a right to the line and the Carpena vibrates. “Matteo, Matteo.” Botic suffers from momentary anxiety.
Moment for the Roman, who once again puts him on the ropes at the start of the second round. The Dutchman’s arms on his hips. Their increases are not effective. Berrettini finds in them a mine to explode. Van de Zanschulp responded with a direct serve in an attempt to stop the avalanche that was falling on him. Botic presses the serve, Matteo responds with a winning return which breaks the tulip again.
Matteo has regained his spark and shines once again with vigor on the hard and demanding pitch of Carpena. The Roman deciphers it well, He thus emerges from the void in which he found himself physically and emotionally.. Injuries have affected his tennis since the pandemic. He battled coronavirus, an oblique injury, an ankle injury at the 2023 US Open, and went under the knife to resolve his wrist problem.
The same one released in Malaga. He suffers on the contrary, but he has a cannon on the serve and on the forehand which attenuates it. He thus consolidates his break and seals the second round and therefore the first point of the final for Italy. His presence in shorts was a mystery before the tournament, but a certainty given his performance on the field. He accelerates and wins the match by taking advantage of the solidity of his serve. Turn to Sinner.
Sinner signs Berrettini’s work
Jannik takes over with determination. Two consecutive aces to start the road to the second consecutive Salad Bowl. He feels comfortable on a surface that powers his tennis. Powerful serve and punishing forehand. His strikes also gain intensity as the point develops. The sinner is merciless. Even more so on hard ground. Always find a loophole that your rival doesn’t cover.
And if there isn’t one, we make it. It doesn’t matter if the ball deflects over the net, you’re forced to hit the ball early, or your opponent sends you a game-winning goal in the corner. It reaches every corner with its plasticity. Their record is 185 victories and 49 defeats. He also surprises indoors with a 73-21. He’s the king of speed.
But Griekspoor plays without a net after Van de Zanschulp’s defeat and, when that happens, he encourages boldness. Tallon is well aware of the strategy to follow. Solidity in serving and short points, so Sinner doesn’t have time to think. Tie the match with service. Celebrate every game with the papaya orange sector.
Griekspoor has been a tough nut to crack for Jannik this year. Forcing the Italian to develop his best tennis in every match. Even more inside. These difficulties recur in Carpena, transformed into an exhibition of service which leads to a tie-break tilted on the Italian side by pure class. Master class on how to play sudden death. Confident in serving and decisive in striking. Ready for Sinner, chin shot for a combative Griekspoor.
It does not disconnect despite the fall. Nor when Sinner breaks him at the first opportunity of the second set. The Dutchman struggles and vigorously returns the break. “If you want the trophy, you will have to play more than your maximum,” Griekspoor seems to say. Jannik accepts the challenge from the other side of the field.
Another break. This time, he doesn’t have a return ticket. The Italian consolidates it with a shutout. The Dutch Wall held firmer than anyone imagined, but eventually it fell due to insistence. Sinner is celebrating, and when he looks to the side, he already has a stampede of Italian players joining in to hug. The tennis course ends with double merit. That of Italy in general and of Sinner in particular.
