Italy Advances in Davis Cup as Sinner and Sonego Lead Rally to the Semis
Italy moved into the Davis Cup semi-finals in Malaga after a dramatic doubles victory propelled by Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego, who overturned an early scare from the Netherlands. The Dutch pair Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof had claimed the early momentum by clinching the opening set 6-3, but the Italian duo fought back with precision and teamwork to level the tie at one set apiece and then closed out the decisive second set 6-4, earning a 2-1 advantage that framed the path to the semi-finals.
With this triumph, Italy reinforced its status as a title contender and moved a step closer to the Salad Bowl, seeking a second championship in its history. The forthcoming semi-final would pit them against either Serbia or Great Britain, teams that were scheduled to determine the other finalist in a Thursday afternoon clash in the same quarter-final section.
Mental toughness defined the day’s opening clash, as Botic van de Zandschulp returned from injury to compete valiantly against Matteo Arnaldi. The Dutchman earned the first point by forcing a lengthy battle, but Arnaldi recovered to win a dramatic deciding set tiebreak, finishing 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 after nearly three hours of intense tennis.
Next on the court was Italy’s rising star, Jannik Sinner, who found his form despite a late scare from Tallon Griekspoor. Sinner seized the momentum in the rematch, helping Italy to even the tie at 1-1 by overcoming the Dutch opponent in straight sets with a 7-6, 6-1 scoreline in the second singles rubber, a result that stretched confidence across the Italian lineup.
In the pivotal doubles clash, the Italian pairing established an early advantage and then maintained pressure to outplay the Dutch team. The Italians began well and extended their lead with a service break, moving ahead 4-3 in the set. Their cohesion on the court allowed them to withstand the Dutch counterpunch and seal the set 6-3, culminating in a 2-0 lead for the Italians in the overall tie.
The Sinner-Sonego axis stood tall throughout the doubles and singles, combining steady baseline play with aggressive net approaches when opportunities arose. Sinner was particularly steadfast in his doubles contribution, proving dangerous at the net and consistently converting when it mattered most. Sonego complemented his partner’s intensity with aggressive shot making and reliable service games, creating a balanced and formidable front for the Italian team.
The Italian crowd filled the Palace of Sports José María Martín Carpena in Malaga with palpable energy, feeding the players’ spirits as the match progressed. Griekspoor, facing the tough task of containing Sinner after a challenging single’s day, appeared visibly affected by the momentum shift as the tie moved toward the decisive moments. Koolhof, meanwhile, fought through heavy pressure from the Italian duo but ultimately could not sustain his earlier rhythm, with the Dutch side looking vulnerable in critical exchanges late in the second set.
In the second quarter, the Dutch made a late push, showing flashes of resilience and attempting to reframe the narrative. Yet the combination of Sinner’s precision and Sonego’s tempo proved too much, and the Netherlands could not close the gap as the Italians closed out the match in straight sets. The result underscored Italy’s depth and their ability to elevate performance when it matters most, reinforcing expectations that they could be a serious threat going into the rest of the tournament.
With Italy advancing, the field for the Malaga semi-finals reduced to three teams already confirmed: Australia along with the Czech Republic, both of whom will square off against another opponent on Friday. The remaining Italian side awaits its semifinal rival on Saturday, with Serbia and Great Britain still in contention for the last qualifying spot, potentially featuring Novak Djokovic against Cameron Norrie or a Britain-advancing challenger. The Davis Cup format in Malaga continues to spotlight the importance of both singles leadership and doubles cohesion, and Italy’s recent performance added another compelling chapter to the competition.