(Málaga) Jannik Sinner (4e world) allowed Italy to equalize against the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-final thanks to his victory over Tallon Griekespoor (23e) 7-6 (6/3), 6-1, Thursday in Malaga.
Botic van de Zandschulp (51e) had placed the Netherlands in the lead by beating in the first single, undecided until the end, the Italian Matteo Arnaldi (44e) 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), after saving three match points.
The double will be decisive. That of the Dutch has serious assets with the experienced Wesley Koolhof, 34 years old, winner this summer of the Wimbledon tournament associated with the Briton Neal Skupski and world No.8 in this specialty.
Jean-Julien Rojer (42), world No.18 and doubles winner of three Grand Slam tournaments, was to accompany him, but Tallon Griekespoor was ultimately preferred.
Against them, Italian captain Filippo Volandri partnered Lorenzo Sonego and Jannik Sinner, replacing Simone Bolelli at the last minute.
Against Sinner in the second singles, Griekspoor was the quickest in action, winning his service games much more easily than Sinner his, not hesitating on several occasions to follow his first balls to the net.
Sinner skates then flies away
Jostled by a puncher imposing a sustained pace, Sinner knew how to bide his time like a champion: after a first alert in the form of two break points conceded at 4-4, the explosive Dutchman conceded five points in a row in the break of tie, won by Sinner 7 points to 3.
Sinner, more relaxed, playing more fluidly, hit the nail on the head in a second one-sided set, winning 6 games to 1 in twenty minutes.
Previously, Van de Zandschulp, facing Arnaldi, was the first to falter by conceding the first two break points, and the first set, at 4-5.
The fate of the first set ultimately came down to a tiebreaker, won by Arnaldi after having to save a set point.
Van de Zandschulp reacted immediately. Pressing his shots more, giving more weight to his ball, he obtained four break points at 1-0, saved by the Italian who gave in on the fifth, at 3-4, leaving Van de Zandschulp, sovereign over his commitment , equalize at one round everywhere.
Van de Zandschulp, more powerful (1.91 m, 85 kg), almost broke the Italian at the start of the final round. But he, trailing 3-1, came back, bringing his opponent to a new decisive game where he obtained three match points before giving in in 2 h 52 min.