Categories: ATPDavis CupTop Story

Underpowered Spain stunned by Croatia in Davis disaster

Spain paid the price for the absences of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, with the host nation crashing out of the Davis Cup quarter-finals a 2-0 victim of unfancied Croatia.

The 2018 champion Croats are into the final four of the team event for a sixth time thanks to wins from Borna Coric and Marin Cilic.

Coric, winner of the summer Cincinnati title, defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 7-6(4), while 2014 US Open winner Cilic finished the job after more than three hours, defeating Pablo Carreno Busta 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

“I was serving very, very well,” CCoric said. “I didn’t serve this well since probably Cincinnati. 

“It’s much easier to play like that. I can relax more on the service games when he’s serving, because I know most likely I will hold my serve. 

“That made a difference. I was also playing very smart. When I needed to attack, I did attack. When I needed to make a defence, I was defensive. I also mixed up the rhythm, as well, which is very important against him. I was just
very pleased with my game, to be honest.”

Cilic made a ragged start in the second rubber with seven double-faults in the opening set before settling into his role as winner of more than 40 Davis matches.

The veteran rallied from 1-4 down in the final set tiebreaker, winning six of the last seven points to send his nation into the final four.

Main photo:- Marin Cilic steering Croatia to victory over Spain – by ATPTour.com

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

3 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

3 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago