Matteo Berrettini gives Italy a 1-0 lead over the Netherlands in the Davis Cup final

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. Berrettini was not at his best in the early going against van de Zandschulp — the man who beat Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals, the last match of the 22-time Grand Slam title winner’s career — but once he got going, he took control by grabbing the opening set’s last three games. Berrettini, who had one day fewer of rest than his opponent, came out a bit off, whether from fatigue or, perhaps, nerves.