Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic for the second time in 11 days on Saturday to spark Italy’s 2-1 victory into Sunday’s Davis Cup trophy match against Australia.
The flame-haired world No. 4 saved three match points at 5-all in the third set to produce a 6-2, 2-6 7-5 single win, levelling the tie at one apiece after compatriot Lorenzo Musetti lost to Miomir Kecmanovic 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-1.
But Sinner’s work in Marbella was not done.
The 22-year-old who defeated the to-ranked Djokovic in a Turin round-robin match last week at the ATP season finals before losing the final to the Serb 16 years his senior, fronted up for doubles, with Djokovic on the other side of the net.
Italy prevailed with Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-4 over Djokovic and Kecmanovic.
The Italians will play a first Davis final since 1998.
“We just tried to push on every single point. It helped this 0-40 game for the confidence,” Sinner said of the doubles.
“Playing doubles in the deciding match in the semi-finals – we had a lot of pressure but we handled it really well. Every one of us is happy to be here.”
In singles Sinner got the better of the Djokovic serve with a pair of first-set breaks to dominate the opener before the 36-year-old Serb struck back to square at a set each.
But Sinner rose to the challenge in the 10th game of the deciding set as he salvaged the trio of Djokovic match-winners and held after coming from 0-40 down.
He broke a game later and served out victory to complete the upset scenario after two and a half hours.
It marked only the fourth time in his career that 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic had lost a match after holding a match point.
‘It was a roller coaster,” Sinner said. “I was starting off really well.
“In the second set he played much better than me. Third set I tried to serve really well, and also on match points down I served well.
“We’re happy to still be in the competition. We were one point away from being out.”
Captain Filippo Volandri could not contain his joy: “We are family. We had a lot of emergencies today but we never gave up. Davis Cup takes and Davis Cup Gives. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
Sinner saved seven of nine break points – five of them in the final set – winning 13 of the last 16 points in the thriller.
Main photo:- Jannik Sinner celebrates beating Novak Djokovic twice in 11 days
