Italy down Netherlands 2-0 to win back-to-back Davis Cup titles
Italy defeated the Netherlands in the final of the Davis Cup on Monday (AEDT) in Malaga, becoming the first team since 2013 to win consecutive titles.
Coming into the decider as heavy favourites across tennis betting sites, world No.1 Jannik Sinner and former top-10 player Matteo Berrettini powered Italy to a 2-0 victory for the second tie in a row.
Berrettini took to the court first against the mercurial Botic van de Zandschulp and was untroubled, racing past the Dutchman 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 16 minutes.
Sinner, riding a 13-match winning streak, then edged out Tallon Griekspoor in a tight opening set before running through the second to win 7-6 (2), 6-2.
“I’m just so happy,” said Berrettini, who became Italy’s go-to singles player alongside Sinner in Malaga.
“Obviously last year I was here to support the team, and this year I brought some points to the cause.
“But it doesn’t matter who is playing, we always put our heart on the court.
“Everybody is giving their best, that is the secret to our team.
“Also, the guys who are back home, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Arnaldi, they won some matches in the previous stage that were really important.
“It’s a really big team and I’m very happy with the trophy.”
Sinner’s victory makes him just the second man in the Open Era to win at least one set in every match of the season, after Roger Federer did so in 2005.
He also becomes the first-ever player to win two Grand Slams, the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup in the same season.
“It has been an amazing year,” Sinner said.
“I’m very proud of the whole team.
“There is a lot of work behind it and I’m very happy to hold this trophy again.
“It was a very difficult day today, because anything can happen.”
Sinner’s performance in Malaga has caused top bookmakers to shorten his odds ahead of next year’s first Grand Slam.
The 23-year-old is now a +200 outright favourite to win the Australian Open in January, having been on the second line of betting this time last month.
