Cilic v Del Potro battle could be key to Davis Cup outcome

24 November 2016 02:39

Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro will take centre stage when Croatia face Argentina in this weekend's Davis Cup final in Zagreb.

The clash between the two former US Open champions on Sunday could decide whether Argentina finally win a first Davis Cup title or Croatia claim their second.

Cilic rose to a career-high ranking of world number six this week after beating Kei Nishikori in his final group match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

The 28-year-old will contest the opening rubber on Friday against Argentinian number two Federico Delbonis before Del Potro faces Ivo Karlovic.

At 37, Karlovic will become the oldest singles player to appear in a Davis Cup final since Australia's Norman Brookes 96 years ago.

The 6ft 11in world number 20 has not played for his country since 2012, but has been promoted to number two player after Borna Coric was dropped from the team having failed to recover from a knee injury.

The 20-year-old won deciding rubbers in Croatia's opening two matches this year against Belgium and the United States.

Captain Zeljko Krajan said on daviscup.com: "It was a really tough decision to take Borna off the team. He's very important for this team, but unfortunately he has not recovered and he is just not ready. I t's impossible for him to play."

Franko Skugor replaced Coric in the four-man line-up and was nominated alongside Ivan Dodig for Saturday's doubles rubber against Leonardo Mayer and Guido Pella, although Cilic may well end up playing on all three days.

Cilic and Dodig's victories over the Bryan brothers and Wimbledon champions Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert were crucial in Croatia's wins against the US and France.

The Croatian number one was the hero in the semi-final upset of the French, also claiming singles victories against Lucas Pouille and Richard Gasquet.

Del Potro only won one point against champions Great Britain in Argentina's semi-final, but it was the crucial one as he became the first player ever to beat Andy Murray in singles on home soil in Davis Cup.

He holds an 8-2 record against Cilic, with his victories including a one-sided Davis Cup clash in 2012, but they have not played each other for three years.

Croatia first won the competition in 2005 - Karlovic was a non-playing member of the team - but Argentina, despite their rich history in the sport, have never crossed the final hurdle.

Daniel Orsanic's team are looking to shed an unwanted record having previously been finalists in 1981, 2006, 2008 and 2011 but finished on the losing side each time.

Del Potro is undoubtedly their trump card and it would be a remarkable end to his comeback season if he could help Argentina lift the trophy.

The 28-year-old said: "It's a very special moment for us and we are very, very positive."

Source: PA