In Malaga Italy is chasing a place in the final Davis Cup challenging Australia in the semi-final. Appointment starting at 1pm. This is the rematch of the last act of 2023 when the Azzurri prevailed with a clear 2-0. In addition to the key player Sinner, this time Volandri should prefer Berrettini to Musetti as second singles player given the unconvincing performance of the Carrarino in the quarterfinals against Cerundolo. Berrettini should play against Kokkinakis, n. 77 in the world, author of the point against Shelton which made the difference in the quarterfinals against the USA. There are no precedents between the two.
In previous matches, Musetti is ahead of both Kokkinakis and Popyrin
Let’s see what the other combinations could be if the two captains wanted to make other choices. Musetti played only once against Kokkinakis, winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 at the 2023 Canadian Masters 1000. If Hewitt, however, chose at the last minute to field Popyrin, the tennis player of Russian origin is 1-2 down with Berrettini, however, was beaten less than a month ago on the Paris-Bercy indoor carpet by 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) and is trailing by 0-1 also with Musetti, due to the defeat suffered by 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) at the Masters 1000 in Miami 2022.
De Minaur has always lost in 8 matches against Sinner
After the first singles, around 3.30 pm, it will be Sinner’s turn to challenge the no. 1 Australian, Alex De Minaur, always defeated in the 8 previous games. The budget is merciless for the n. 9 in the world who won just one set out of 19 against the South Tyrolean. The two faced each other for the last time a few days ago in the Round Robin at the ATP Finals where Sinner won 6-3, 6-4. Last year, in Malaga, it went even worse in the final for De Minaur who managed just 3 games (6-3, 6-0).
In the event of a double, Sinner is likely to play again
If it were needed, around 5-5.30pm it will be the turn of doubles to decide who between Italy and Australia will go to the final. Hewitt has no doubts and will rely, if necessary, on the consolidated pair formed by Jordan Thompson, n. 3 in the world in the specialty, and Matthew Ebden, n. 13. Volandri has a much wider choice and, logically, in this case he will ask Sinner once again who will choose whether to play together with Berrettini again or, if the Roman is tired, paired with Musetti or one of the two specialists, Vavassori or Bolelli. The chances, however, that the finalist couple at the Australian Open and Roland Garros will be fielded as starters appear slim.
Italy down 5-8 in the previous matches against Australia
The overall balance in Davis between Italy and Australia sees the ‘Aussies’ ahead 5-8 with the Azzurri who, however, won (2-0) the last match, the 2023 final, the only one played on indoor carpet. In the past only 3 other times had the game been played on a neutral pitch, on grass in the USA for the inter-zone finals, and Australia had always clearly prevailed: 5-0 in 1949 and 1955 and 4-1 in 1959.
Where to watch Italy-Australia on TV and streaming
The match between Italy and Australia will begin at 1pm and will be broadcast live on free-to-air TV by Rai on RaiDue. The match will also be visible for subscribers on Sky on the Sky Sport Uno (201) and Sky Sport Tennis (203) channels. It will be possible to watch the match in streaming on RaiPlay, SkyGo and Now.
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