Sinner cheers on Italy during Davis Cup tie against Netherlands

A familiar face was in the stands to watch Italy’s Davis Cup Group Stage Finals tie against Netherlands on Sunday.

Recently crowned US Open champion Jannik Sinner was present in Bologna to cheer on his countrymen as they played their final group stage tie.

The defending champions became the first team to qualify from Group A for the Final 8 in Malaga after Brazil clinched its tie against Belgium on Saturday. Despite the absence of the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Italy won both of its ties against Belgium and Brazil, thanks to two singles victories from Matteo Berrettini.

Sinner’s last match was his 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 victory in the US Open final against American Taylor Fritz. The Italian picked up his second major after winning his maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January.

These two ??? @MattBerrettini and @janniksin celebrate together after Berrettini's win ?#DavisCup https://t.co/hU7f8WBFqv pic.twitter.com/FiIfTe6gXH

Sinner steered Italy to its second Davis Cup title last year, with the 23-year-old saving three match points en route to victory against Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. He later teamed with Lorenzo Sonego to win the decisive doubles match and send Italy through to the final against Australia.

After Matteo Arnaldi overcame Alexei Popyrin to put Italy 1-0 up in the final, Sinner defeated Australia’s Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-0 to seal Italy’s second Davis Cup title following its maiden victory in 1976.

This year, Sinner has posted a 55-5 record, clinching a Tour-leading six titles.