Madrid: Italy won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1976 thanks to a 2-0 victory over Australia on Sunday.
Italy had booked their place in the final on Saturday after defeating Novak Djokovic’s Serbia, and Matteo Arnaldi again showed the country’s determination as he opened the final, which was held in the Spanish city of Malaga, with a tense 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 win over Alexei Popyrin.
He dedicated the win to the recently deceased father of his girlfriend, saying “I think it was one of the most important matches of my life. I don’t know what to say.”
Arnaldi’s win set up Jannik Sinner to seal the win with a thumping 6-3, 6-0 win over Alex de Minaur, with a display that gave the Australian very few options to take the tie to a deciding doubles match.
“It has been an incredible feeling for all of us, obviously we are really happy,” said Sinner.
