Jannik Sinner scored an important win for tennis Italy. © ANSA / Alessandro Di Marco
Jannik Sinner presented himself energetic and passionate in the Davis Cup quarter-finals on Monday evening.
29. November 2021
Author: am
The young Sextner (ATP 10) was repeatedly driven by the audience in the Pali Alpitour Arena in Turin, and there were chants at important points for Sinner. Even if it didn’t look good at times, the Azzurro finally won a deserved and important victory against the Croatian Marin Cilic (ATP 30). After 2.45 hours and 3 sets he prevailed with 3: 6, 7: 6 (7: 4), 6: 3. The South Tyrolean managed to equalize 1: 1 in the quarter-finals between Italy and Croatia. For the Azzurri it was a vital victory after Lorenzo Sonego’s defeat against Croatian Borna Gojo. Now the decision is made in doubles.
A varied tennis match developed from the start. In the fourth game, Cilic took a 3-1 lead with a break. After that they both got through their serves. Sinner was able to fend off 3 set balls, but he was no longer able to turn the set. In the end, the Croatian won the set – without Sinner even having a break chance.
In the second set, Cilic started again strong. South Tyrol’s tennis ace had a hard time and took the break in the first game. The Croatian then confidently increased to 2-0. Sinner had to acknowledge his inferiority in this phase of the game, frustration spread. But Sinner continued to fight for every point, showed mental strength, made the connection on his own serve and then equalized with his first breakball in this game. In the 5th game, Sinner took the lead for the first time and immediately afterwards even had the chance to break, which he missed. The two now delivered an exciting match and repeatedly forced each other to make mistakes.
In the 9th game, Cilic managed the break to 5: 4. But if you thought that the 20-year-old South Tyrolean is now hanging your head, you have been taught better: Sinner took the lead with 40: 0 and converted the first breakball to 5: 5. After that, both played through their service game. The tennis thriller went into the tie-break. Here Sinner presented himself with strong nerves and used the first set ball with a score of 6: 4 and opposing service.
The Croat presented himself in strong shape. © ANSA / Alessandro Di Marco
In the third set, Sinner started like the fire brigade and got the break without giving up a single point. But the 33-year-old Croatian presented himself in a strong shape and immediately got the rebreak – Sinner was able to fend off 2 breakballs in this game. Subsequently, both won through to zero with their own service. Again and again Sinner cheered when he won points, whipped himself and the audience. In the 7th game he got the break to 4: 3. Now the momentum was on the side of the South Tyrolean. He played his own service game with ease (40:15), and immediately afterwards he got 2 break and match balls. He was able to use the second: 6: 3. The cheers on the Azzurri bank knew no bounds, the equalization to 1: 1 was achieved.
Jannik Sinner pulled the audience with him. © ANSA / ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
The decision to reach the semi-finals at the Davis Cup between Italy and Croatia is now made in doubles. Here Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini compete against the Croatian duo Nikola Mektic / Mate Pavic (from 9:55 p.m.). The semi-finals and finals will take place in Madrid at the beginning of December.
