Italy clinched the Davis Cup title after a 47-year wait, turning a journey from Santiago de Chile to Málaga into a triumph that crowned a storied nation. Jannik Sinner delivered a defining performance, sealing the win with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 victory over Alex de Minaur. The San Candido native had already contributed on the opening point against Popyrin, then sealed the overall victory in the final with a performance that underscored Italy’s return to the summit. Matteo Arnaldi laid down the groundwork in the opening rubber, defeating Popyrin in three tight sets (7-5, 2-6, 6-4) and then finishing the tie with his fifth win on the Carpena court.
Jannik Sinner’s standout week elevated him as the centerpiece of Italy’s Davis Cup campaign in Málaga 2023. Long absent from lifting the Salad Bowl since 1976, Italy leaned on Sinner to anchor singles in the quarterfinals and then paired him with Sonego for the doubles in the semifinal. The highlights included a historic achievement, where Sinner defeated Djokovic twice in a single day, first in singles on a dramatic stretch that featured three match points, and then partnering with Sonego to win the doubles. In the final against Australia on Sunday, he delivered the decisive performance, earning the championship point on Martín Carpena’s court.
The sinner’s resounding victory
Afternoon tennis at Carpena opened with Jannik Sinner, ranked No. 4 in the ATP, facing Alex de Minaur, ranked No. 12. The Australian had earned the week’s spotlight with a bold run to keep the tie alive in the doubles, but Sinner displayed the form that has defined his season.
De Minaur started strongly, moving quickly and striking with authority. Yet Sinner responded with precision and forward momentum. A decisive break in the third game gave Sinner the lead, and from that moment his dominance grew. The Italian controlled the opening set with a superior forehand and a composed, attack-minded game that left De Minaur scrambling. A single critical moment threatened to alter the momentum at 4-4, but Sinner rose to the occasion to hold serve and break again for a 5-3 lead, sealing the first set and signaling Italy’s path to a second Salad Bowl.
The tilt swung fully in Sinner’s favor in the second set. He seized the initial break at 2-0, leaving De Minaur overwhelmed by the speed and accuracy of Sinner’s shot-making. Every rally seemed to tilt in the Italian’s direction as he moved with purpose and confidence. De Minaur fought but struggled to contain the relentless pressure, and a second break at 4-0 set the tone for a quick finish. With Sinner closing in, the crowd sensed the title was within reach, and the field waited as Italy pressed to complete the round.
There was no turning back once Sinner consolidated the advantage. From the baseline, his shots were precise and timely, the kind of performance that makes a match feel inevitable. A late surge from De Minaur could not derail the momentum; Sinner sealed the set, match, and the week with a display that matched the occasion, earning Italy the coveted trophy and a place in Davis Cup history. The teammates embraced on court as the tournament concluded, a testament to a collective effort that carried the nation back to the apex after decades of longing.
Arnaldi wins first point
The opening point of the final rubber went to Matteo Arnaldi, who faced the Australian challenger Popyrin in a tense duel. Australia’s captain had previously steered the team to the final rounds, and Arnaldi entered as the underdog in the first encounter of this decisive tie.
Both players began by holding serve, but the match soon turned into a battle of breaks. Arnaldi struck first, piercing Popyrin’s serve to take a 3-1 lead in the opening set. The Australian rallied with a rapid response, clawing back to 3-2 and signaling a competitive rhythm for the rest of the set. The Italian found himself facing a stern push from Popyrin, who saved two break points to maintain parity at 4-4, then again at pivotal moments as Arnaldi pressed to seize the initiative.
With three set points in hand at 5-4, Arnaldi found his edge as he served to push the set beyond deuce and convert, taking the first set 7-5. The momentum shifted in a dramatic fashion as Popyrin regrouped to start the second set with a strong service game and a 2-0 lead. The Australian pressed with renewed conviction, leveraging a steady rhythm to move to a 3-0 advantage in the second frame. The tempo swung again as Popyrin tightened his play, but Arnaldi did not surrender. He steadied his game and fought back, resisting the Australian’s pressure and holding his serve under sustained duress.
Arnaldi adjusted confidently, saving two more break opportunities while trying to bend the match back in his favor. The Australian’s frustration grew as errors mounted and his lead eroded. A crucial moment came when Arnaldi maintained composure, saving break points to sit at 3-3 and then pulling ahead with a decisive service game at 4-3. Popyrin faced another critical moment, and this time Arnaldi finished the set with a precise, confident play, clinching it 6-4.
The second set featured renewed focus from Popyrin, who broke early to forge a 2-0 lead, but Arnaldi’s resolve shone through. With a blend of aggressive serving and smart shot selection, the Italian steadied his nerves, weathered the Australian’s pressure, and eventually wore down the game plan that had started to dominate. The set moved beyond the usual exchanges as Arnaldi found his rhythm and capitalized on key moments to take it 6-2.
The final set tested Arnaldi’s endurance, but he stayed composed under the mounting pressure. He recovered from a tentative start and saved the early break, staying within reach as the scoreline tightened. The Italian’s persistence paid off as he stayed a step ahead in the critical moments, securing the necessary breaks and sealing the match in the late stages with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 victory. That win marked Italy’s first point of the tie and set the tone for a memorable Davis Cup campaign that would end with the country lifting the trophy once more.