ITALY is officially the back-to-back champion of the Davis Cup after successfully defending its title in Malaga overnight. The combination of Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner proved too good for brave Dutch pair Botic Van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor, winning in straight sets against their respective opponents to salute.

Since being added alongside SInner in the deciding doubles against Argentina, Berrettini was the chosen second singles player after the world number one, winning against Thanasi Kokkinakis and now Van de Zandschulp to essentially hand Italy the victories. With Sinner essentially a gimme win for the European nation and world number ones, winning the second singles match is crucial to ensure a deciding doubles is not required.

Once again, Berrettini – a former Top 10 talent – stepped to the plate, taking care of Van de Zandsculp 6-4 6-2 in just an hour and 16 minutes, not needing to fight back from a set down like he had to against Australia. In fine form, the Italian smashed 16 aces to three, and hit an additional 12 winners to 10m while only committing five more unforced errors (17-12) against his Dutch opponent.

He also never faced a break point throughout the two sets, winning 86 and 50 per cent of his first and second serve points, while capitalising off Van de Zandsculp’s second serve percentage (35 per cent) to convert three of his four break points.

In the second match, SInner had to overcome an ultra determined Griekspoor who did all he could through the first set to keep his nation in title contention. The Dutchman only committed three unforced errors – the same as Sinner – while hitting two more winners (7-5). In the end though, Sinner’s 12 aces and ability to save both break points against him proved crucial in taking out the first set.

The second set was far more straightforward with the world number one cruising to a 6-2 victory in 41 minutes. He only served the three aces and hit two winners – and went at just a 57 per cent efficiency, but essentially still carved out a comfortable victory by converting three breaks to one.

“It has been an amazing year. I’m very proud of the whole team,” Sinner said. “There is a lot of work behind it and I’m very happy to hold this trophy again. It was a very difficult day today, because anything can happen.”

By winning the 2024 title, it marked Italy’s third Davis Cup trophy, while for the Netherlands it ended the dream run for the Dutchmen reaching their first ever final.

Berrettini who admitted he was not fit enough 12 months ago to play Davis Cup coming off injuries, had a message for his former self.

“I would tell him ‘don’t give up’,” Berrettini said. “Last year was really nice to be here, but at teh same time, I remember a moment, like, why did I come? I wasn’t part of the team 100 per cent, but I’m competitive and I want to be part of the team.

“But then at the end of the day, after the whole week, I said it was really important for you to come, because I support them, because I was really happy for them, but also for me. I took so much energy from those matches.

“I once again realised how much I care about Davis Cup. And living those moments I took all this energy, and I was like, ‘okay, next year you’re going to be here, you’re going to be fighting for Italy’. I used that as an engine for the training sessions and everything that happened afterwards.”