Davis Cup Finals: Jannik Sinner makes a fable comeback against Marin Cilic - Italy stays in the game
Jannik Sinner keeps the Italian hopes alive from the semi-finals at the Davis Cup Finals 2021. The South Tyrolean defeated Marin Cilic in three sets after a fabulous comeback and scored 1-1 in the international match with Croatia. Before that, Borna Gojo had a sensational win against Lorenzo Sonego. Now the double brings the decision. The Croatian duo Pavic / Mektic is the big favorite in the race.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Nov 29, 2021, 09:49 pm
Great Davis Cup atmosphere in Turin: Italy will meet Croatia in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup FInals in front of the home crowd. The declared goal: to move into the semi-finals. However, the start of the duel with the Croatians went very badly, Borna Gojo, number 279 in the tennis world, shocked Lorenzo Sonego and celebrated his first win against a man from the top 30 in the world.
The hopes were now on the shoulders of teenager Jannik Sinner, who faced old master Marin Cilic in the duel of the "ones". The Croat, who won two titles this year, showed a strong performance right from the start and brought an early break against the world number tenth from Italy to win the set 6-3 in round one.
Sinner keeps his nerve
This key initially continued in round two, Cilic managed another early break. This time, however, Jannik SInner succeeded in the immediate counterattack, with a total of nine points in a row, the South Tyrolean went from 0: 2 to 3: 2. The momentary setback did not seem to affect Cilic too much, the Croatian caught himself quickly, subsequently kept his service games and waited for his opportunity.
And this came. At 4: 4, Jannik Sinner wobbled again in this match - Cilic struck and broke to 5: 4. The decision in this match? Not at all. Cilic showed his nerve and played a terrible service game. And Sinner broke. To zero. A turning point in this game. Sinner kept picking up speed, sending set two into a tie-break after defending against a match ball - which the youngster was able to win with a wonderful forehand passing ball winner.
Doubles must bring about a decision
So a third round had to bring the decision. Again it went back and forth, first Sinner made a break, which Cilic knew how to equalize immediately. However, the impression that Sinner was now increasingly in charge of the situation continued to strengthen. And so the Italian managed another break, which the world number one was able to transport to 3: 6, 7: 6 (4) and 6: 3 success. Much to the delight of the frenetic Turin audience.
So now the doubles have to decide on the entry into the semifinals. On the Croatian side, Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic (No. 1 in the world rankings) will be very popular in the race. For the Italians, Simone Boletti and Fabio Fognini are the most likely starters.