Doubles win gives Croatia the edge over Argentina in Davis Cup final

26 November 2016 05:54

Croatia will take a 2-1 advantage against Argentina into the deciding day of the Davis Cup final in Zagreb.

The hosts, who defeated America and France on their way to the final, won the opening singles rubber when Marin Cilic, the world number six, eventually saw off Federico Delbonis 6-3 7-5 3-6 1-6 6-2 in three hours and 30 minutes.

The second contest proved another drawn-out affair of more than three hours.

Juan Martin del Potro fought back to level the match for Argentina - who had put out holders Great Britain in the semi-final - when he beat Ivo Karlovic 6-4 6-7 (8/6) 6-3 7-5.

Croatia, though, finished the day in front after Cilic teamed up with Ivan Dodig to defeat Del Potro and Leonardo Mayer 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/4) 6-3.

The opening set of the crucial doubles rubber had gone with serve until Mayer was broken three times to give the hosts the advantage.

Argentina were able to force another tie-break in the second set, but it was the Croats, cheered on by a partisan home crowd, who again held their nerve before breaking Mayer again in game six to comfortably close out the match.

Cilic could clinch what would be a second Davis Cup title for Croatia, winners in 2005, if he defeats Del Potro, the world number 28, in Sunday's reverse singles, with Karlovic scheduled to take on Delbonis in the fifth rubber.

Source: PA