Argentina win first Davis Cup title

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

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who returned to the tour successfully after two injury-hit years, believes Argentina is in a strong position after losing in four Davis Cup finals since 1981.

Federico Delbonis, primarily a clay-courter, finished it off with an assured win against Ivo Karlovic, a man ranked 20 places higher than him, and Del Potro joined the Argentine team as it sprinted out to mob Delbonis on the court afterward, and then hoist the trophy as confetti rained down.

Marin Cilic believes he has enough energy left to seal a Davis Cup triumph for Croatia against Argentina.

“Juan Martin had an incredible match and Fede played the best match of his life at the best moment”.

“We played with our heart and tried to do the best”, said Delbonis.

Saturday also saw the expected result, with Cilic and elite doubles player Ivan Dodig teaming to beat del Potro and Leonardo Mayer in a close but ultimately straight set doubles tie.

The ATP comeback player of the year del Potro must now hope he can show the form he displayed in beating world number one Andy Murray as Argentina knocked out holder Britain in the semifinals. “My finger is broken but I won’t mind one bit if we win the Davis Cup”, he told a news conference while keep an eye on a big screen as Delbonis was in the middle of dismantling Karlovic.

Karlovic predictably claimed a hefty chunk of free points behind his big serve, but was punished for some sloppy play in the sixth game as Delbonis claimed the only break of the opener, before taking the set when his opponent sent a backhand return long.

“He was on top of every ball”, said Argentina captain Daniel Orsanic. “It was an exhausting match but I think I will be OK for the rest of the weekend”.

There was little to choose between the two pairs in the opening set after 12 games went with serve. The Croat capitalised on the first of three break points with a cracking forehand victor.

The 37-year-old Croatian had a 3-1 head-to-head career lead, although Delbonis had won their most recent match-up last month in Tokyo. Del Potro had to dig deep to overcome Karlovic, who was spurred on by an electrifying atmosphere in the Zagreb Arena.