The draw has taken place for the upcoming Davis Cup final between Argentina and Croatia in Zagreb.
Hosts Croatia will be bidding to win their first title in the tournament since 2005 and Argentina are hoping to clinch their first. The upcoming tie at the Arena Zagreb features two former grand slam champions (Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic).
In the singles competition, Cilic and Ivo Karlovic will head Croatia’s campaign against del Potro and Federico Delbonis. On the first day (Friday) of the tie, Cilic will start the proceedings against Delbonis in what will be their third meeting. Cilic has won their two previous encounters, including one at this year’s Geneva Open. Del Potro will then take on Karlovic in what will be a battle of the big servers. The US Open champion leads Karlovic 4-1 in their head-to-head and recently defeated the Croat in straight sets at the Stockholm Open. Sunday will then see a reverse of Friday’s matches.
The Saturday doubles match is set to feature Ivan Dodig and Franko Skugor against Leanardo Mayer and Guido Pella. Three out of the four players have won either an ATP or Challenger doubles title on the tour this season. The one exception is Pella, who won six (doubles) titles between 2012-2015 on the Challenger circuit. Both countries have the option of changing their doubles team before Saturday depending on Friday’s results.
Speaking during the draw ceremony, International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty has praised the upcoming clash, saying that it has the potential to be ‘one of the most memorable’.
“Both teams have great players, great captains and we are going to have a remarkable and exciting weekend.” Said Haggerty.
The opening rubber of the #DavisCupFinal will be @cilic_marin v @FedeDelbonis followed by @ivokarlovic v @delpotrojuan! pic.twitter.com/vnTJp9mMet
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) 24 November 2016
Croatia has never defeated Argentina in the Davis Cup, losing all three of their previous meetings (2002, 2006 and 2012).
Borna Coric’s hopes dashed
The Croatian Davis Cup team has suffered a blow ahead of the final following the withdrawal of world No.48 Borna Coric. The 20-year-old hasn’t played a match on the tour since September after undergoing surgery on his right knee. Coric underwent a procedure to treat two bones that was irritating the tendon in his knee. Since then, he has been engaged in a race to be fit in time for the Davis Cup final in Zagreb.
Coric has been training in Zagreb this week along with the rest of the Croatian team. Moving freely around the court with little difficulty, it appeared that the knee problem was resolved. Regardless of the promising signs, Coric was also seen getting attention on his right knee during the training sessions as he aims to get back to full fitness. Replacing him in the team will be Skugor. The 29-year-old will be the fourth choice behind Cilic, Karlovic and Dodig. Peaking at a career high of 145th in April this year, Skugor has dropped to 215th in the world.
Change of nomination for Croatia ahead of the #DavisCupFinal as Franko Skugor comes in to replace Borna Coric
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) 24 November 2016
