MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Matteo Berrettini put Italy ahead 1-0 against the Netherlands in the final of the Davis Cup on Sunday by beating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2, setting up No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner for a chance to clinch the country's second consecutive championship in the team competition.

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),

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

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 leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup title.

Jannik Sinner capped an outstanding season by guiding Italy to a second successive Davis Cup title. The world number one defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (2) 6-2 in Malaga to secure a 2-0 victory for the defending champions against the Netherlands.

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini won their singles matches to lift defending champion Italy past Australia 2-0 and back into the Davis Cup final.