Sinner

Malaga, Spain, Nov 25 (PL) - Italy retained the Davis Cup tennis title by beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final, inspired by world number one racket Jannik Sinner.

Recent ATP Finals champion Sinner completed an extraordinary season by beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in the second singles match, after Matteo Berrettini defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2 in the first.

This is Italy's third Silver Salad Bowl crown, following those achieved in 1976 and last year.

Sinner led Italy to yet another triumph to cap a campaign in which he also won two Grand Slam titles, at the Australian Open and U.S. Open.

“Every year is different, coming back as champions and winning is one of the best feelings possible. I'm happy because the team gave 100 percent, there is a lot of work that you don't see,” Sinner said at a press conference.

The Netherlands were looking for their first title in 104 years after reaching the final for the first time, but Italy, the heavy favorites, gave them no chance.

Van de Zandschulp, leader of the Dutch team with three wins in Malaga and who ended the brilliant career of Spaniard Rafael Nadal earlier in the week, failed today to at least win a set against an inspired Berrettini.