Dodig/Cilic Put Croatia Ahead 2-1

CROATIA 2, ARGENTINA 1
Arena Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Davis Cup Final

Croatia is one win from claiming their second Davis Cup crown after Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig provided the heroics in Saturday’s doubles rubber. In front of a sold out Arena Zagreb in the Croatian capital, Cilic and Dodig defeated Juan Martin del Potro and Leonardo Mayer 7-6(2), 7-6(4), 6-3 to put the host nation ahead 2-1 after Day 2 of competition.

Dodig, No. 13 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings, led the charge in claiming his fifth straight Davis Cup doubles rubber since 2015. He has won three in a row this year with Cilic.

“This is a once in a lifetime experience and I have to thank the fans for creating a fantastic atmosphere,” Dodig said. “We will be rooting for Marin to finish the job tomorrow.” 

The Croatian duo prevailed after two hours and 42 minutes when a Mayer backhand return sailed long. They fired 33 total winners, including six aces, while taking 85 per cent of first serve points.

In Sunday’s reverse singles, Cilic and Del Potro will return to the court for a critical fourth rubber. The Argentine leads the FedEx ATP Head2Head 8-2, having claimed their previous five encounters, including a 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 rout in the 2012 Davis Cup quarter-finals. This will be their first meeting in three years.

Croatia is eyeing its second Davis Cup trophy after emerging victorious in 2005. Argentina, a four-time finalist, is seeking to rally for its first title, having finished runners-up in 1981, 2006, 2008 and 2011.