Djoko-Sinner to Meet Again Tomorrow? Davis Cup?

[jimlosaltos]

I don't see a thread for the Piquet, er, make that Davis Cup. Hope this isn't redundant. Anyway ...

After meeting only 3 times in their careers, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner will potentially meet for the third time in the last two weeks tomorrow, in one of the Davis Cup semifinals in Malaga, Spain.

Both players won singles rubbers today, with Sinner teaming with Lorenzo Sonego to win doubles, getting their teams to the semis. Finals will be Sunday at 4PM Spanish time. As best I can tell, there are three ways to watch in the US: Tennis Channel for the live match, TC Plus should have the archive, also there appears to be a paid, streaming option on the ITF/ Davis Cup website. This costs 39.99 € / year.

I'm not sure how to handicap their semifinal team matchup. Make your own judgement on Djoko-Sinner round 3. In doubles Sinner was a good partner in Sonego, who focuses on doubles and is ranked 60. In the alternative singles Lorenzo Musetti should be favored over anyone other than Djokovic that Serbia can field. Presumably, Novak would also play doubles if it is decisive, but recall how he looked in mixed at the Tokyo Olympics.

Some Piquet Cup,er Davis Cup, Links:

Video live & replays: https://video.daviscup.com/en-int/li...atch-2/1668752

Schedule: https://www.daviscup.com/en/schedule...-schedule.aspx

DC Home: https://www.daviscup.com/en/home.aspx

Tennis Channel Plus: https://tennischannel.com/watch/o-vi...avis-cup-final

CET is Central Europe Time
Italy vs. Serbia — Sat, Nov 25

Local CET	ET	GMT	AEDT
12:00pm	8:00am	11:00am	10:00pm

Final

Sun Nov 26, 4:00pm	Semi Final 1 vs. Semi Final 2

[jimlosaltos]

Sorry for being so ethnocentric. Here's the global TV list from DC:

See below for a full list of territories and broadcasters:

AUSTRALIA	NINE & BEIN SPORTS
CANADA	SPORTSNET, TVA & CBC
CZECHIA	CZECH TV
FINLAND	YLE
GREAT BRITAIN	BBC
ITALY	SUPERTENNIS, SKY ITALIA, RAI
NETHERLANDS	ZIGGO
SERBIA	SPORTKLUB
LATAM	Enjoy TV, Torneos
Chinese Taipei	Sportcast
Caribbean	Flowsports
France	beIN Sports, L'Equipe
Germany	Servus, DAZN
Hong Kong	iCable
Israel	TSC
India & Subcontinent	Sony
Indonesia & Philippines	Emtek
Korea Republic	Coutang
MENA	beIN Sports
Poland	PILOT
Singapore	Starhub
Spain	Movistar
Switzerland	SRG
Sweden	SVT
South Africa	SuperSport
Thailand	TrueVision
Turkey	Saran, SSPORT
Vietnam	VTV
USA & International	Tennis Channel (subscription)
Ukraine	XSport

[stroke]

https://insidersbettingdigest.com/news/tennis/davis-cup-semi-finals-serbia-vs-italy-odds-picks-and-prediction/

As this article says, Serbia is the betting favorite, but there is certainly an argument for taking Italy. Musetti is playing Kecmonovic(#54 ranking) right now in a very watchable match before a very raucous crowd. Musetti of course has the beautiful all court game, Kecmonovic is very strong off both wings and is very good at taking the ball on early. Sinner and Novak to follow.

[stroke]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MBKTK2Ch9GGLzf7PA

That was a super high quality 1st set won by Musetti in a tiebreaker 7-5. Kecmanovic served for the set at 5-4 and was broken. The tiebreaker was super close, but Musetti's all court shotmaking got him through it. Kecmanovic certainly did nothing wrong.

[stroke]

Kecmanovic shows what a tough competitor he is and wins the second set 6-2, just outplaing Musetti. It was something to see particularly after such a brutal 1st set loss. He is able to take the service returns so early, particularly 2nd serves, and hurt Musetti. Reminds me of someone.

[stroke]

Kecmanovic really turning the screws, really squeezing out there. Very impressive.

[stroke]

The ol trainer has now been called by Musetti down 4-0 third set with Kecmonovic on tap to serve. Oh brother.

[stroke]

Kecmanovic up 5-0 in 3rd. This one is done and dusted. Obviously all on Novak to extend this thing to the doubles. I hope he does, but it is certainly no given. The rubber match doubles to determine the winner is very exciting.

[stroke]

Sinner routines Novak 6-2 1st set with punishing groundstrokes. Very interesting. We will see.

[stroke]

Novak responds 6-2 in the 2nd set. There are no betting odds on individual Davis Cup matches, but I think we all know who the favorite is now.

[don_budge]

Seemingly "over powered" in the first set...is Novak Djokovic beginning to wrest CONTROL of this match? Is he dictating the terms? It is a struggle between two opponents that are apparently fairly equal in terms of ability and so forth. What will be the deciding factor(s)? Hint: Statistics are irrelevant.

[don_budge]

Novak "controls" his own serve in the first game of the third set and now is making Sinner work like the devil to hold his. Now he has a break point. Sinner can get control with a first serve...and he does. Back to another deuce. No matter if he wins this game...Novak has at least accomplished making Sinner struggle. They are both struggling for CONTROL...using everything in their respective POWERS. Sinner holds so the ball is back in Djokovic's court.

[don_budge]

Huge service game for Djokovic at 3-3. He gifts a point at 40-0 then holds. He has made some steady inroads on the Sinner serve this set. Is now the game where he seals the deal?

[don_budge]

The pressure is mounting now and this first point is very important. Not do or die...but important. Novak will make a play to break here...I think. He wins the first...0-15. Big serve from Sinner...15 all. Pressure mounting and Sinner sprays a forehand wide...15-30. Big first serve...30 all. Here we go. Long with the first serve...rally follows and Sinner dumps a forehand in the net. Break point. Pressure on...first serve in and back to deuce. Novak maintaining some semblance of pressure. Another big serve from Sinner...ad in. Game. Back to Djokovic.

[don_budge]

Novak wins his serve at love. He has been in total control of his service game this set. Taking care of his serve diligently. He has had Sinner on his heels a couple of times but Jannik has refused to crack...thus far. Sinner to serve to stay in the match. Pressure...control.