Jannik Sinner in brutal act against Alex de Minaur as Italy clinch Davis Cup title

Australia's Davis Cup dreams have been ended in the final by Italy as Jannik Sinner powered his nation to the title in a clinical singles victory over Alex de Minaur. Following Matteo Arnaldi's win over Alexei Popyrin in the opening singles rubber, Sinner clinched the Davis Cup crown for the Italians with a brutal display against Australia's No.1 in the crucial second rubber.

The 22-year-old Italian romped to a 6-3, 6-0 victory over de Minaur, having beaten World No.1 Novak Djokovic twice in the semi-finals to guide his side into the final in Spain. Sinner showed that same level against de Minaur, who refused to give up despite looking increasingly dejected as the Italian's level lifted.

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Sinner went into the match leading de Minaur 5-0 in their head-to-head battles on the ATP Tour and that record was rarely in danger of being tested as the 22-year-old fired on all cylinders. Since his last major of the season at the US Open, the Italian has won 22 of his 20 matches, with one of those defeats coming against Djokovic in this month's ATP Finals decider in Turin.

Sinner's run has included ATP 500 titles in Beijing and Vienna and he finishes the year with a career-best 64-15 record and World No.4 ranking for the season. The Italian's ability to raise his game against de Minaur in the second set was extraordinary to witness, with Sinner clinching the 2-0 result for Italy in the Davis Cup final in a ruthless display that left tennis fans gobsmacked.

Australia's wait for another Davis Cup title drags on

Australia's loss means the nation's wait for a first Davis Cup title since captain Lleyton Hewitt's playing days 20 years continues. The loss was especially frustrating for the Aussies after Popyrin had plenty of chances to win his opening rubber against Arnaldi.

Popyrin went down 7-5 2-6 6-4 despite bossing his Italian opponent for much of the final two sets. It meant de Minaur had to beat the red-hot Sinner to send the final into a deciding doubles rubber, but the upset was not to be for the Aussie side.

Sinner won all five of his rubbers across three ties in a sign of just how dominant he's been in this competition. That of course included his historic two victories over 24-time major winner Djokovic in singles and doubles, followed up by making it six in a row against de Minaur.

Popyrin, who'd stepped in for the injured Thanasi Kokkinakis, dominated the last two sets of his opener, only to let the chances slip by. Ultimately, the tense tussle between Australia's World No.40 and Italy's World No.44 came down to who could hold their nerve best - and it was the Italian who ultimately managed to do that.

Popyrin earned eight break point opportunities in the final set but was constantly repelled by the stubborn Italian, who just needed a second chance in the decider to pounce at match point. The Sydneysider saved one of his worst games for last, spraying a couple of forehands long before being able to do nothing with a searing Arnaldi backhand that he could barely get a racquet to on match point.

It left Popyrin inconsolable, saying it was the worst he had ever felt. His loss put captain Filippo Volandri's Italian team in the driving seat and Sinner made sure it was the Italians celebrating just their second Davis Cup title against the 28-time champions. De Minaur's misery was compounded by the second-set 'bagel', with one final wayward backhand eventually handing the jubilant Italians their only triumph since 1976.

with AAP

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