MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Jannik Sinner was in the locker room, getting ready to go on court and try to win a match that would give Italy its second Davis Cup title in a row, when his teammate, Matteo Berrettini, was asked about being so close to a championship.

It was Italy's third title in the elite men's team competition following their triumphs in 1976 and last year.

Italy went nearly a quarter-century without winning the Davis Cup. Then along came Jannik Sinner, and now the country is celebrating its second consecutive title. The No. 1-ranked Sinner clinched the championship in the annual team event and capped his breakthrough season by beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (2),

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.

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini won their singles matches to lift defending champion Italy past Australia 2-0 and back into the Davis Cup final.

ROME, NOV 23 - Matteo Berrettini came back from losing the first set in a tie break to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7, 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday and put Italy 1-0 up in their Davis Cup semi-final against Australia.

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,