It’s a rivalry that is slowly starting to take hold. For the third time in just over ten days, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner will face each other. This time, it will be during the semi-finals of the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga. In the quarter-finals, the world number 1 went for the decisive point against the United Kingdom (2-0) by easily dominating Cameron Norrie (18th in the world) in two sets (6-4, 6-4) to take his country in the last four against Italy.
For his return to competition, only 4 days after his triumph at the Masters against Sinner in the final, the “Djoker” did not tremble – even if he got, as always, a little confused with the public – so that he had to conclude the Serbian qualification after the great victory (7-6, 7-6) of Miomir Kecmanovic (55th in the world) against Jack Draper (60th in the world).
Once the break was in his pocket at 2-2 in the first set, the man with 24 Grand Slam titles continued, without conceding a single break point, and taking the opponent’s service from the first game of the second set. With this success (2-0) against the United Kingdom, Serbia, coached by Viktor Troicki, joins Italy, defeater of the Netherlands.
Serbia-Italy and Finland-Australia in the semi-finals
The Transalpines needed a decisive double to get through the quarters (2-1). In the first two singles of the day, the Dutch won the first point thanks to Botic van de Zandschulp (51st in the world), winner of Matteo Arnaldi (44th in the world). As leader of his team, Sinner then allowed the Italians to equalize thanks to his success over world 23rd Tallon Griekspoor (7-6, 6-1). Intractable in singles, the world number 4 was just as solid in doubles with Lorenzo Sonego to overcome the Tallon Griekspoor-Wesley Koolhof duo in two hotly contested sets (6-3, 6-4).
Serbia and Italy will therefore meet in the semi-final this Saturday. Note that Djokovic and Sinner, as number 1 of their team, are almost guaranteed to face each other, barring injury, or the (strange) choice of their captain to do without their service. “We played some good matches in Turin. We’ll see what happens this week. We will do everything to win,” promised Novak Djokovic. In the other part of the table, Finland, defeat of the reigning Canadian champions, will face Australia, winner of the Czech Republic.
