Arnaldi outlasts Popyrin, puts Italy one point away from Davis Cup title

Italy is one point away from victory at the Davis Cup Finals after Matteo Arnaldi outlasted Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 on Sunday afternoon in Malaga, Spain. Arnaldi prevailed in what was a roller-coaster of an opening singles rubber after two hours and 24 minutes.

Arnaldi puts Italy one match away from victory 🇮🇹

Winning 7-5 2-6 6-4 over Alexei Popyrin #DavisCupFinals | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/FXr4iJW08j

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 26, 2023

Arnaldi saves eight break points in the third set

Both players had plenty of chances the whole way, starting in the first set. Following a pair of breaks midway through it, Arnaldi fought off two break points at 5-5 and then took the set with a break in the next game.

Popyrin was quick to hit back in the second, rolling to a 4-0 advantage. Arnaldi saved two set points at 1-5 and had a pair of opportunities to get one of the breaks back in the following game but could not convert. Popyrin eventually held to force a decider.

With momentum now on his side, the 40th-ranked Aussie earned a whole host of chances to seize complete control. He had three break points in the first game, two in the third game, two in the seventh game and one in the ninth game. Amazingly, Arnaldi held every single time. That put the pressure squarely on Popyrin’s shoulders while serving to stay in the match at 4-5, which is when the final turning point occurred. Arnaldi brought up match point at 30-40 with some brilliant shot-making and capitalized it with a backhand pass that Popyrin could barely touch with his racket.

“It’s very emotional,” the 47th-ranked Italian assured. “You don’t know what it means to me — and also for the country…. I won one of the most important matches of my life, so I don’t know what to say.”

Sinner with a chance to take the title for Italy

Italy can clinch the Davis Cup when Jannik Sinner faces Alex de Minaur in the second singles rubber.

Italy has lifted the trophy just once all time, back in 1976. Australia has won the title 28 times, second behind only the United States. The Aussies last triumphed in 2003.

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