Matteo Arnaldi beats Popyrin, now match point Jannik Sinner

Italy-Australia 1-0

Italy got off on the right foot in the Davis Cup final against Australia. Matteo Arnaldi, in fact, led the Azzurri into the lead thanks to a victory over Alexei Popyrin (number 40 in the world rankings), which matured after two and a half hours of play with the final score of 7-5 2-6 6-4 in favor of Arnaldi.

The San Remo tennis player started strong and immediately went ahead by a break (3-1) but the Australian's reaction è immediate (3-3). On 5-4 Arnaldi did not take advantage of three set points, but è did well not to get discouraged and get a new break in the twelfth game, which was worth the first partial.

In the second set rocket start of Popyrin who flies on 4-0 in a few minutes, also accomplice to a drop in performance of the Italian. The Australian has no problem managing the double break advantage and makes the second partial his own 6-2, dragging the challenge to the third and decisive set.

In the third set, the tension è palpitating with Arnaldi having to immediately save three break points: the Azure, however, always managed to keep his head ahead, and after canceling five more break points, he placed the winning paw right on the most beautiful, in the tenth game, at 5-4 in his favor, thanks to a forehand pass that was worth the victory.

Now it is Jannik Sinner’s turn against Alex De Minaur: the South Tyrolean has match point on his racket to give Italy the title.