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 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

The victory against Australia has brought Italy to the second consecutive Davis Cup final. Now focus on the next opponent: the Netherlands. Davis Cup, Italy's opponents in the final The Dutch

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.

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.

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini won singles matches Saturday in front of a supportive crowd to lift defending champion Italy past Australia 2-0 and back into the Davis Cup final.

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

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,