Sinner breezes past Griekspoor to draw Italy level with Netherlands in Davis Cup quarter-final
The Italian won his crucial match against the Dutchman to ensure his country remain in the 2023 Davis Cup, with the outcome of the tie now resting on the deciding doubles match
Jannik Sinner, Davis Cup Finals – Zuma / Panoramic
Jannik Sinner shrugged off the challenge of world No 23 Tallon Griekspoor, beating the Dutchman 7-6 (3), 6-1 to level up their Davis Cup quarter-final tie at 1-1.
A mere four days after playing the biggest final of his life, falling short against Novak Djokovic in front of his adoring home crowd in Turin, 22-year-old Sinner was once again carrying the weight of his nation’s tennis hopes on his young shoulders.
This time, he emphatically delivered, showing no signs of post-ATP Finals fatigue as he rose to the occasion and ensured Italy would take the tie to a deciding doubles match.
The first set was not straightforward for the world No 4, however. Griekspoor, motivated by a vocal Dutch contingent in the near-sell-out crowd, played clean and effective tennis in the first set. The Dutchman protected his serve well, keeping Sinner at bay to take the opener to a tense tiebreak conclusion.
But it was the Italian’s quality that shone through in the breaker, taking it 7-3 to stamp his authority on the match.
With the lead under his belt, Sinner never looked back. As Griekspoor’s head dropped somewhat, Sinner raised his level, breaking twice en route to a routine second set that saw him win the match and draw Italy level with the Netherlands.
The first match of the tie had seen Van de Zandschulp upset Matteo Arnaldi to hand the Netherlands a much-needed lead.
With a team that also boasts the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego, however, the Italians knew they could rely on the blistering firepower of their leading man for the second match.
Sinner duly obliged, and in excellent fashion.
Now, this quarter-final tie comes down to a final doubles showdown between Sinner and Musetti for Italy against Wesley Koolhof and Griekspoor of the Netherlands for a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the 2023 Davis Cup.
