Croatia Defeats France to Win Davis Cup

November 26, 2018 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Marin_Cilic_Credit_USTA_Andrew_Ong_CROP
Photo courtesy of USTA/Andrew Ong

 

In the last Davis Cup final played under the current format, Croatia delivered a dominating performance over the weekend, bringing home the trophy for the second time in the nation’s history with a 3-1 win over France.

“It’s not every day that you become a world champion,” said Marin Cilic. “For us it’s a dream come true. We are so passionate, you can see the fans are enjoying themselves. I feel that in Croatia it’s going to be incredible too.”

Cilic clinched the victory on Sunday as he defeated Lucas Pouille 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-3.

To open up the final on Friday, Borna  Coric beat Jeremy Chardy 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 before Cilic knocked off Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to build the early advantage for the Croats.

France would stay in the final as Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut notched a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3) victory over Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic, but Cilic clinched Croatia’s victory in the ensuing match.

“Look at the statistics from Borna and I, in three matches we did not lose a serve, it says much about our level and how well we played,” said Cilic. “We were both in a great form at the right time.”

Croatia’s previous Davis Cup title came back in 2005.

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Century
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