Jannik Sinner was the talisman for Italy as soon as once more as they got here from behind to beat Argentina in an exciting Davis Cup quarter-final, however this tie was loaded with shock and intrigue.
Simply 4 days after he claimed his first ATP Finals title in Turin, Sinner was again on a quicker indoor court docket in Malaga making an attempt to steer his nation to Davis Cup glory for a second successive yr.
But this story took an early twist in opposition to the defending champions as Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in straight units to have the South People a lead within the tie.
Sinner then sealed a convincing 6-2, 6-1 win over Sebastian Baez, however it was what got here subsequent that was one thing of a shock.
Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli have been anticipated to play the doubles tie for Italy, with the rating of the 2 gamers suggesting they might be one of the best decide to tackle the skilled Argentine doubles duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
Vavassori is ranked at No 9 within the ATP Doubles Rankings and Bolelli is simply two locations behind him in that checklist, but Italy captain Filippo Volandri rolled the cube and went along with his world No 1 singles participant Sinner alongside 2022 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
USA captain Bob Bryan made the same determination earlier within the day as he picked singles gamers Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul to play the essential match of their tie in opposition to Australia.
That transfer backfired as they have been crushed by established doubles duo Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell and the Australian’s booked their place within the final 4.
Volandri was extra profitable as he made the same transfer to drop his doubles gamers as Sinner and Berrettini earned a key break within the eleventh sport of the second set earlier than sealing victory on their first match level to seal a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
“For me, it’s at all times a tricky determination,” mentioned Volandri, as he defined his determination.
“I’ve eight or 9 gamers that I might select, then I’ve 4 or 5 that I can put within the staff after which I select who performs singles and who performs doubles.
“They made an unbelievable doubles, particularly Matteo. We have now an unbelievable staff.”
Sinner admitted he struggled with the situations in Malaga, with the floor the Davis Cup Last 8 is being performed on very completely different to the one he excelled on in his Italian homeland as he gained the ATP Finals in Turin.
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“The court docket may be very quick and hard to play,” mentioned Sinner.
“I haven’t had a lot time to adapt to those situations, however a very powerful factor was to maintain Italy alive.”
He then went on to reward Berrettini as he added: “He performed unbelievable right now. You understand he carried me right now, so I’m very completely satisfied about his efficiency.
“I believe now we have some excellent selections to placed on the court docket.
“Right now was this alternative as a result of I performed the primary match, and it was not that lengthy, so I felt bodily prepared. He performed unbelievable, Matteo. He carried me.
“This implies a lot to us and I’m completely satisfied to play doubles with him.”
Italy will now face a re-match in opposition to Australia, the staff they beat within the decisive match of final yr’s Davis Cup Last 8 and with Sinner’s dominant type displaying no signal of waning within the remaining week of a draining season, the defending champions should be favourites to retain their title.
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