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.

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.

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

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

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Matteo Berrettini justified his promotion to Italy's singles lineup by putting aside a collapse at the end of the first set and coming back to beat Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5 Saturday, moving the defending Davis Cup champion to the verge of returning to the final.

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.

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 helped defending Davis Cup champions Italy put one foot in the final with a 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 7-5 win over Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis on Saturday. Berrettini opened up two more in the 11th game and took the first when the Australian sent a forehand wide to break for a 6-5 lead,