Davis Cup final: Del Potro beats Cilic, takes tie into decider

Karlović had no answer to Del Potro’s strong service game and could not find a way to break the Argentine to force a fifth set.

Read the latest news about the incoming administration on our Tracking the Transition page. That was as good as it got for the Croatian, however, as Del Potro upped the pace and prevailed in the last two sets, with an exuberant Maradona pumping his fists in delight.

Argentina beat Croatia 3-2 and won their maiden Davis Cup tennis title.

Croatia needs one more point to win its second Davis Cup title after winning the doubles against Argentina in straight sets on Saturday.

“It was a really tough decision to take Borna off the team”, Krajan said, per the Davis Cup website. “It was hard to believe that we could have two wins today. We are confident. It’s a very special moment for us and we are very, very positive”.

As in the finals of any sport, the losing team is always a disappointed lot, and this Croatian team has all the more reasons after coming so close to the title, yet so far.

Argentina completed a thrilling comeback on the final day of the Davis Cup final on Sunday in Croatia, coming back from 1-2 down and winning both final singles matches to claim a first-ever Davis Cup championship. He had fallen to Jack Sock in Davis Cup play and to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon quarter-finals. In the quarter-final, they beat the Bryan Brothers, who had only lost 4 matches in 28 doubles rubbers for the United States. “It was an exhausting match, but I think I will be OK for the rest of the weekend”. “After all, this is the final”, Cilic said.

Delbonis broke again at the start of the next, and he was at the top of his game as he raced out into a 4-0 lead. Cilic suddenly rediscovered his serving groove, and didn’t give Delbonis a chance. I tried to be focused and to do what I should have to. “I was determined to start playing better”.

The were no breaks of serve in the opening set but the Croatians dominated the tiebreak as Mayer faltered three times under pressure while the home team could not put a foot wrong.

A further break on the Mayer delivery saw any hopes of an Argentina fightback snuffed out and it was Cilic who served it out to amid delirious scenes from the home supporters.

“His serve was the key”, Delbonis said.