Coric Gives Croatia Early Lead In Davis Cup Semi-finals

CROATIA 1, UNITED STATES 0
Sportski Centar Visnjik, Zadar – Clay (Outdoors)

Borna Coric gave 2005 champion Croatia a 1-0 lead on Friday in its Davis Cup semi-final against United States in Zadar after defeating Steve Johnson 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-3 in two hours and 24 minutes.

Coric recorded his 30th match win of the season, hitting 23 winners and winning 81 per cent of his first-service points. The 21-year-old lifted his second ATP World Tour title at the Gerry Weber Open (d. Federer) in June.

World No. 6 Marin Cilic now looks to extend 2017 finalist Croatia’s lead against Frances Tiafoe, who is making his debut as the 141st player to represent the United States.

FRANCE 1, SPAIN 0
Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, FRA (hard – indoor)

French captain Yannick Noah’s decision to blood Benoit Paire paid off on Friday when the 20-year-old debutant overcame Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain 7-5, 6-1, 6-0 in one hour and 54 minutes. Paire struck 37 winners, including 16 aces, to give defending champion France an early advantage.

Roberto Bautista Agut will now attempt to get five-time titlist Spain back to 1-1 overnight with victory over Lucas Pouille in the second singles rubber.