Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego beat Wesley Koolhof in three sets in the decisive doubles match to earn Italy a spot in the semifinal at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp saved three match points to beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 7-6 (9-7) and earn the Netherlands a 1-0 lead over Italy in the Davis Cup quarter final in Malaga.
The first set went on serve in the first nine games. Van de Zandschulp saved two break points in the 10th game to hold serve after two deuces. Van de Zandschulp went up a mini-break to take a 3-2 lead. Arnaldi pulled back on serve to draw level to 3-3. Van de Zandschulp earned a set point, but Arnaldi saved it before earning a set point. The Italian player sealed the tie-break 8-6 as Van de Zandschulp made a forehand error.
Arnaldi saved four break points In the second game of the second set. Van de Zandschulp broke serve in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead and served out the second set with a hold at love.
Van De Zandschulp earned a break in the third game of the decisive set. Arnaldi broke back in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3. Arnaldi saved a break point in the 11th game. Arnaldi did not convert two match points at 6-4. The Italian player earned his third match point on Van de Zandschulp’s serve, but the Dutchman saved it. Van de Zandschulp earned his fourth mini-break with a down the line backhand to seal the tie-break 9-7.
Jannik Sinner beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 after 1 hour and 13 minutes to take the tie to a decisive tie-break. Sinner fired nine aces and won 91% of his first service points. Griekspoor saved two break points in the ninth game to hold serve after four deuces. Van de Zandschulp went up a 2-0 lead in the tie-break, but Sinner won seven of the next eight points to clinch the tie-break 7-3. Sinner earned a double break in the second and fourth games to race out to a 5-0 lead and sealed the second set on his first match point to take the tie to a doubles match.
Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego beat Talon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof 6-3 6-4. Sinner and Sonego saved three break points and fired 24 winners.
Sonego saved a break point in the third game to hold serve at deuce. The Italian team earned three break points in the fourth game, but Koolhof saved them. Sinner fended off a break point in the seventh game.
Sinner and Sonego rallied from 0-40 down to break serve in the eighth game for 5-3. Sinner served out the first set at love.
The Italian doubles team earned three break points in the third game, but Koolhof and Griekspoor fended them off. Sonego converted the third break point with a forehand inside-in in the seventh game. Sinner served out the win on his first match point.
Italy will face the winner of the quarter final between Serbia and Great Britain.
