ZAGREB, November 27, 2016
Argentina is the winner of the 2016 Davis Cup by BNP Parisbas beating Croatia 3-2 at the Zagreb Arena on Sunday. In a remarkable turnaround the visitors become the first nation in World Group history to win a Davis Cup Final from 1-2 down after Federico Delbonis dismantled Ivo Karlovic in straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and nine minutes to conclude three amazing days of competition.
Here is how the ambition of a nation to win #DavisCup finally came true! Federico Delbonis clinches match point in the 2016 #DavisCupFinal! pic.twitter.com/8R03XA5wFN
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) 27. November 2016
“I tried to deliver. I just tried to keep my focus. This is a dream come true,” Delbonis told afterwards. “We play for our country and play with our heart. It is amazing.”
Del Potro Beats Cilic
Earlier the day in the first singles reverse rubber, Juan Martin del Potro came back from two sets down to beat Marin Cilic 6-7, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3. The Tower from Tandil withstood 34 aces, hitting 16 of his own and converted five of his 21 break point chances. It was a tough one for Cilic – his third loss of the year from two-sets-to-love up – but Del Potro completed an incredible turnaround in a four-hour-53-minute epic.
“I don’t know how I came back in this match,” admitted the Argentine after the fight. “I played smart in the important moments. It was tough, I just did my best.”
Argentina has become the 15th nation to win the Davis Cup title, having lost all four of its previous appearances in the Davis Cup Final in 1981 (l. USA), 2006 (l. Russia), 2008 (l. Spain) and 2011 (l. Spain). It was one of only four nations, along with Belgium, India and Romania, to have reached more than one Davis Cup Final without being crowned champion, but the only nation to have lost four Finals without winning the title.
“It is a great honour to be a team captain to this group of professionals,” Daniel Orsanic told.
“What Del Potro did was amazing. He represents his country with so much pride and he also showed how good a player he is. His achievement borders the impossible, while Federico played a perfect match and was on top of every ball throughout the contest.”
