Jannik Sinner saved three match factors earlier than ending Novak Djokovic’s streak of 21 straight wins in Davis Cup singles matches, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, to tug Italy degree at 1-1 with Serbia of their semifinal showdown on Saturday.
Sinner’s win avenged his loss to Djokovic for the ATP Finals title simply six days earlier.
Djokovic’s earlier singles loss within the Davis Cup was when he retired in opposition to Juan Martin del Potro in Serbia’s 2011 semifinal defeat in opposition to Argentina. Djokovic’s final loss in a accomplished singles match within the Davis Cup was in 2009.
Djokovic squandered a trio of match factors earlier than Sinner rallied and broke his subsequent service recreation to go forward 6-5 earlier than serving out the match.
Miomir Kecmanovic beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-1 to provide Serbia a 1-0 lead over Italy within the first singles match.
It was the third assembly between the top-ranked Djokovic and the fourth-ranked Sinner in 12 days. Sinner beat Djokovic within the ATP Finals group stage final week earlier than Djokovic beat Sinner within the last to earn a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title.
Djokovic and Sinner are scheduled to face one another once more within the deciding doubles match.
The winner will face Australia in Sunday’s last on the identical indoor onerous court docket in Malaga, Spain.
Djokovic helped Serbia win its first and solely Davis Cup title in 2010. On Thursday, he turned the outright most profitable Serbian participant when he beat Cameron Norrie for his forty fourth victory within the competitors.
Serbia is looking for its first last since 2013 when it misplaced to the Czech Republic in Belgrade. Italy’s solely title was in 1976. It is final last was in 1998.
