Former US Open champion Marin Cilic has told reporters in Russia that he would like to see Davis Cup matches played in a best out of three sets instead of a best out of five.
Last month the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that they will introduce a super tie-break for the final set from 2016 onwards. In this year’s Davis Cup first round tie between Brazil and Argentina, Leonardo Mayer defeated Joao Souza 15-13 in the final set of the longest match in Davis Cup history. The match lasted six hours and 42 minutes. Cilic has welcomed the introduction of a super tie-break, but has called for the number of sets to be reduced.
“Discussions on the need to reduce the length of the matches in the Davis Cup has been underway for a long time. It would be very nice if it happened. The tie-Break in the fifth set – it’s a good step. But even better would be to play the match in three sets. By including this would benefit both viewers. Sometimes five sets played, It is tedious, not only for tennis but also for the spectators”. The 2014 US Open champion said.
Cilic has played 35 matches in the Davis Cup since 2006 and has a win-loss of 22-13. Since 2008 he has played seven five-set matches in the competition, winning five of them.
The comments came as Cilic prepares to defend his title at the ATP Kremlin Cup which begins on Monday. In the final last year he defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets to claim his 13th ATP title. Since his triumph in Moscow Cilic hasn’t won a title, but he hopes to end his dry run in a country which he is very fond of.
“I always have a good time in Russia. There are very nice people who are always warmly accepting of me. In Russia I have achieved milestones in my career. For example, during my successful performance in St. Petersburg in 2007, I broke into the Top 100 for the first time. And last year I won the tournament here in Moscow, I got enormous pleasure from it, so I’m happy to come back here”. He said.
Cilic is the top seed for the Russian tournament. After receiving a first round bye, he will play either Britain’s Aljaz Bedene or Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin in the second round.
