Italy's Matteo Berrettini comfortably beat Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-2 in the first singles clash of the Davis Cup final against the Netherlands on Sunday to hand the holders a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three tie.

Italy went nearly a quarter-century without winning the Davis Cup. Then along came Jannik Sinner, and now the country is celebrating its second consecutive title. The No. 1-ranked Sinner clinched the championship in the annual team event and capped his breakthrough season by beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (2),

By Fernando Kallas MALAGA, Spain (Reuters) -Italian Jannik Sinner completed a remarkable season by sealing his country a second successive Davis Cup title with a 2-0 victory over Netherlands in the final at the southern Spanish city of Malaga on Sunday.

Matteo Berrettini showed his class with a heartfelt gesture after putting Italy ahead in Sunday's Davis Cup final. The world No. 35 beat Botic van de Zandschulp to give his nation the lead over the Netherlands.

Matteo Berrettini has played his role to perfection taking the first match of the Davis Cup Finals 6-4, 6-2 against Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp to give Italy a 1-0 lead in the tie with a

Italy had won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1976 last year, and will look to defend their crown against the Netherlands on Sunday

Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini put defending champions Italy into the Davis Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Australia.

Matteo Berrettini has put Italy ahead 1-0 against the Netherlands in the final of the Davis Cup by beating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2.

MALAGA, Spain (Reuters) -Defending champions Italy moved into the Davis Cup final after a 2-0 win over Australia on Saturday as Jannik Sinner defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets to follow up Matteo Berrettini's victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis.