The Netherlands have never been to the final of the Davis Cup, the Italians started in Málaga as defending champions. The roles could hardly be more unevenly distributed before today’s final.
by Jens Huiber
last edited: November 23, 2024, 8:53 p.m
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Hands up if you know off the top of your head which nation last managed to win the Davis Cup twice in a row. N/a? That’s right: it was the Czech Republic that won the most important team title in tennis at home against Spain in 2012 and against Serbia in Belgrade the following year. Since then, Roger Federer (2014), Andy Murray (2015) and Juan Martin del Potro (2016) have been able to celebrate with their national teams. And after the introduction of the new format, also Daniil Medvedev 2021 or the Canadians. With Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov 2022.
And now Italy is launching a double whammy. As a big favorite against the Netherlands. Not only because Jannik Sinner can basically wait for congratulations at the net against any opponent these days (except perhaps on clay against Carlos Alcaraz in top form).
Volandri relies on Sinner and Berrettini
No: Matteo Berrettini, who will most likely open against Botic van de Zandschulp, is also entering this matchup as a prohibitive favorite. Matteo and the Dutchman have met many times, but “BvdZ” has not yet been able to write to him. On the one hand, this is not to be expected in Málaga today – van de Zandschulp himself seemed too nervous in his win against Daniel Altmaier in the semi-finals on Friday.
On the other hand: If Paul Haarhuis, the Dutch captain, manages to send Botic van de Zandschulp onto the court, who sealed off Carlos Alcaraz in three sets at the US Open, then the Italians would also have something to worry about. An unlikely scenario. But not impossible.
A little tension would of course be good for the finale. Just to determine whether the Italian team boss will go all-in again if there is a tie after the individual match, as he did in the match against Argentina. Filippo Volandri did not rely on the parade pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, but on Sinner and Berrettini. Successfully. Just like the Italians have been doing quite a lot in tennis recently. See also the women’s success in the Billie Jean King Cup on Tuesday, also in Málaga.
