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.

Matteo Berrettini faced Botic van de Zandschulp in the first rubber and scored a 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 16 minutes. Thus, he almost secured the trophy for Italy, with Sinner standing as a massive favorite against Griekspoor. Berrettini blasted 16 aces and lost 13 points in his games.

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.

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Jannik Sinner was in the locker room, getting ready to go on court and try to win a match that would give Italy its second Davis Cup title in a row, when his teammate, Matteo Berrettini, was asked about being so close to a championship.

Jannik Sinner caps an extraordinary 2024 season by battling past the Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor to help Italy defend their Davis Cup title.

The world number one eased to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 triumph against Tallon Griekspoor for the winning point after Matteo Berrettini had put the defending champions ahead with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win against Botic van de Zandschulp.

It was Italy's third title in the elite men's team competition following their triumphs in 1976 and last year.

The Davis Cup champions for 2024 will be officially crowned on Sunday as Italy take on the Netherlands in this year’s final. It has been a memorable finals week in Malaga so far, with the Dutch team proving their composure to topple hosts Spain in the opener and end the illustrious career of Rafael Nadal in the process.

An inspired Netherlands team made Davis Cup history as they put their nation into the final for the first time ever with a 2-0 defeat of Germany on Friday. Singles wins for Botic Van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor sparked a party amongst an army of orange-clad Dutch fans inside the Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena.