Tennis-Arnaldi gives Italy 1-0 lead over Australia in Davis Cup final

Tennis - Davis Cup - Final - Australia v Italy - Palacio de deportes Martin Carpena, Malaga, Spain - November 26, 2023 Italy's Matteo Arnaldi in action during his singles match against Australia's Alexei Popyrin REUTERS/Jon Nazca

MALAGA, Spain (Reuters) - Italy's Matteo Arnaldi outlasted Alexei Popyrin 7-5 2-6 6-4 in the first singles clash of the Davis Cup final against Australia on Sunday to hand the former champions a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three tie.

A victory for Filippo Volandri's Italy will earn them only their second Davis Cup crown in the elite men's team competition after their triumph in 1976.