Davis Cup: Croatia leads Argentina 2-1 after doubles

Del Potro and doubles partner Leo Mayer lost 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 6-3 against Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig, leaving Croatia one victory away from the title.

Del Potro fought back in the seventh game with Cilic under pressure at deuce.

“I am delighted to have won an important match for my team”, Del Potro told reporters. The only thing I want to say is that we’re a team that encourages each other and I am confident that this title will come sooner or later.

“We will push to the end”, Dodig, the hero of the doubles victory, said. “We could have lost, but the guys were wonderful today”.

The Argentine proved that once again at the Davis Cup finals on Sunday.

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

However, Del Potro staged a remarkable comeback to win 6-7 (4-7) 2-6 7-5 6-4 6-3 in four hours 53 minutes. “His (high) toss on his serve is a bit specific and it gave me problems”.

“The crowd helped me to stay in there, it was not easy”, said Cilic. They were appearing in their fourth final since 2006 (and fifth overall) and were backed by a traveling contingent of fans that made for an unforgettable atmosphere. The latest challenge comes in the best-of-five series starting Friday on an indoor hard court at the sold-out Arena Zagreb. Cilic suddenly rediscovered his serving groove, and didn’t give Delbonis a chance.

“I took a short break, talked to the coach”, Cilic said. “I was determined to start playing better”. The world No. 38 broke right back for 1-1 and earned another scalp of the Cilic serve for 5-3.

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. With football legend Diego Maradona watching on, the world number 41 took the fourth set 6-1 to force a decider.

Delbonis was happy to close the door on the Croats but said it was a team effort. The young star showed his mettle in two fifth-rubber deciders this year, defeating Belgium and the United States in the first round and quarterfinals, respectively. “We have nothing to hide and we will make a decision when we return to the hotel”.