The Netherlands finished runners-up to Italy in the Davis Cup as they were unable to repeat their heroics against Spain and Germany.

World number one Jannik Sinner proved too strong for Tallon Griekspoor, edging a hard fought first set 7-6 before winning four straight games to claim the second set 4-0 and win the tie.

Earlier Botic van de Zandschulp, who ended the career of Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, had no answer to the world number 35 Matteo Berrettini.

The 29-year-old lost his service to love at 4-4 in the first set and picked up just two more games as the Italian prevailed 6-4 6-2.

Those results meant 35-year-old doubles specialist Wesley Koolhof ended his career without striking a ball, after he and Van de Zandschulp sealed the quarter-final against Spain.

Historic result

In the semi-final Oranje were too strong for Germany, as both Van de Zandschulp and Griekspoor won their singles matches to make the doubles redundant.

Team captain Paul Haarhuis said it was a frustrating outcome after a week of outstanding performances as the Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time in the 104-year history of the tournament.

“If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s finishing second,” he said. “Yes, it’s historic, but we achieved that on Friday [against Germany] and now it feels a bit like a loss.”

“I always had the feeling we had it in us. Obviously there were a lot of nerves around the first match, because we all knew, and Botic knew, that if we had any kind of chance it was in that match.

“But Berrettini wasn’t having any of it. He played very strongly from the start.”