Sinner shines as Italy reach semi-finals

ATP Finals runner-up Jannik Sinner stepped straight into winning form four days after his test in Turin, leading Italy into the Davis Cup semi-finals on Thursday with a pair of key victories.

The world No. 4 who lost the Turin final at the weekend to Novak Djokovic .showed is devastating form as he rescued the tie for a 2-1 defeat of the Netherlands in Malaga.

Sinner claimed a must-win victory in the second singles rubber, defeating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (2), 6-1 in 72 minutes after teammate Matteo Arnaldi lost the day’s first contest to Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-6 (7).

Sinner and Lorenzo Sonego then finished off the job against the Dutch, defeating Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof 6-4, 6-4 to wrap up the tie.

Rising power Italy will now be playing  back-to-back semi-finals for the first time since reaching three straight semis in 1996-1998.

“Davis Cup pressure is different, because you have a big responsibility to show up, because you don’t have many chances,” Sinner said.

“Obviously I was coming here with confidence, but the first day was not easy. Today I started so-so the first set, but still I tried to keep going. But it’s nice that the last event of the season is a team event.

“Everyone is giving 100 per cent.”