Borna Coric and Marin Cilic will lead a strong Croatian team next week-end in the final of the Davis Cup against France at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
It will be the second final between France and Croatia in a world sport event four months after the French triumph in the football Fifa World Cup in Moscow.
The Croatian team beat France in the most recent head-to-head in the 2016 Davis Cup semifinal, but they lost the final on home soil in Zagreb against Argentina.
In this year’s edition of the Davis Cup Croatia edged the US team 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal. Coric rallied from 2 sets to one down to win a dramatic fifth set against US Next Gen player Frances Tiafoe in the decisive fifth rubber match securing Croatia a spot in the final.
“It was a difficult afternoon, but I managed to overcome all problems thanks to the support of the Croatian crowd”,recalls Coric.
Borna Coric made his debut in this event at the age of 16 in 2013, when he played against Andy Murray. Since then he has won nin
“Playing against Murray was a great experience for me. I was very proud to be selected for the Croatian team and this experience has been a big boost for the following matches. I have learned a lot. It’s always a great feeling when I represent my country. I could not play the 2016 final against Argentina and it was a big disappointment. This year will be a great experience”, said Coric.
Coric ended the 2017 season at world number 48 in the ATP Ranking and has made a major breakthrough this year climbing to world number 12. He reached the semifinal at Indian Wells, won the title in Halle beating Roger Federer in the final and reaching his first Masters 1000 final in Shanghai, where he lost to Novak Djokovic.
Coric started training with his Italian coach Riccardo Piatti at the Tennis Centre in Bordighera at the end of 2017.
“For all Croatian players the Davis Cup is very important, especially when they have to face a strong team like France. Borna always talks about this event”,said Riccardo Piatti.
Marin Cilic played in the ATP Finals last week, but he feels that the transition from indoor hard-court to indoor clay will not be a challenge.
“I believe I am going to be fine, adjusting my play, a bit more of sliding, running. The conditions of indoor clay are slightly faster than outdoor clay. I will be fine”, said Cilic.
