Congratulations to the Italian Davis cup team of 2023 for taking the title by defeating the Australian team in a tight and exhilarating match-up. The team was a star-studded line up, with Jannic Sinner (world number 4), Lorenzo Musetti (world number 27), Lorenzo Sonego (world number 47), Mateo Arnaldi (world number 44), and Simone Bolelli (doubles number 55). The team looked like strong competitors for the title, finishing top of their group in the group-stages.
Italy won their quarter-final in close tie against the Netherlands. Arnaldi lost the second singles to the Dutch Botic Van de Zanshulp, in a third-set tie-break, despite having 3 match points himself. Sinner, then cruised past Talon greikspoor in straight sets, and them him and Sonego took the doubles against Wesly Koolhof and Greikspoor, to take them to the semi-final.
Then joined by Serbia, the Djokovic, Sinner match up is one of the greatest in the modern day. Sinner took the first set six games to two; Djokovic took the second set six games to two. In the third set, Djokovic went up 5-4, and then went love-forty up, to earn 3 match points to put his team into the final, and then Sinner pulled some great shots out of his bag, saving the 3 match points, and then won the next 3 games, to win the match. Italy won that singles match.
The next match, Lorenzo Musetti, played Miomir Kecmanovic. Musetti won the first set in a tie-break, but lost the next two relatively comfortably: 7-6(7) 2-6 1-6.
Australia awaited in the final, with top player Alex De Minaur to face Sinner, and Alexi Poprin to face Arnaldi.
The first match was tight; Arnaldi took the first set 7-5, the Poprin won the second 6-2. Poprin then had the upper-hand, playing the better tennis out of the two, in the last set. He made 8 break-point chances, but couldn’t convert any. Arnaldi then swooped in at the last minute, to win the set 6-4!
Sinner then took to the court with the cushion of being 1-0 up in the tie. He played fonominal tennis, and pushed De Minaur aside, winning Italy the Davis cup for the first time since 1976, 6-3 6-0.
GB’s Dan Evans watched on from the crowd, after his team’s disappointing defeat just three days before:
Just days before the GB tie with Serbia, in the Davis cup quarter-finals, one star singles player, Sir Andy Murray, announced that he would be pulling out of the team due to a shoulder injury. In a statement to the press, Murray said, “I’ve picked up a minor shoulder injury which means I won’t be able to take part in the Davis Cup. I’m gutted not to be part of the squad but my focus is now on rehab and getting ready for the new season.” This was just another heavy blow to the team, as during the ‘Asian swing’, Dan Evans, GB’s ‘magic-man’ (as he was described by the press) had obtained a heel injury, in a match against Francis Tiafoe (of the US) and was forced to pull out of the cup. This was a real disappointment to Evans, as he had saved 5 match points in the group-stages against France, and had been the real reason why they qualified with such easy.
Serbia was lead by world number 1, Novac Djokovic, and had a variety of other strong singles players. Djokovic was in good form coming into the tie, and had strong ambitions.
The format for the tie, was a seconds singles, a first singles, and a doubles (if the two singles matches split).
The first matchup was GB’s Jack Draper (world number 60), vs Miomir Kecmanovic (world number 55). Draper fought hard for an hour, before two double faults lost him the first set tiebreaker. The second set was closer and, despite having a set point of his own, he also lost that in a tie-break. 6-7(2), 6-7(6).
Next match on court, was Norrie and Djokovic. Norrie played some fantastic tennis. Unfortunately, he gave up an early break, because of a dud net cord. Despite saving a multitude of break points in set two, he could not capitalise on any of his opportunities; going on to loose the match 4-6 4-6. The match was heated, as Djokovic had yelled at the GB fans to ‘shut up’, and continued to mock them throughout the match. He had accused them of being disrespectful, which Leon Smith (GB captain) had retaliated, saying, “That’s one of the things that’s good about Davis Cup and the team competition that actually you’re kind of meant to make noise”.
By Charlie H
Carre’s Grammar School Newsroom
Another interesting article Charlie about your favourite subject!
Well done Charlie. Lots of good, accurate research in your article with some exciting descriptions of play. I enjoyed reading it.
Engaging and knowledgeable article, Charlie. You smashed it.
If only Team GB played as well as this article was written.
I didn’t get a chance to watch much of the Davis Cup, so it’s great to have been able to read a thorough and detailed write up! Very informative and well-written Charlie, well done!