MADRID/STARNBERG, December 5, 2021
The players of the Russian Tennis Federation capped a strong year by winning the 2021 Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals title.
The Russian Olympic Committee topped the medal table at the Olympic Tennis Event in Tokyo, before Daniil Medvedev captured his first Grand Slam title at the US Open and the Russian team won the Billie Jean King Cup title in Prague with a 2-0 victory over Switzerland in the final. The nation has also been successful at junior level too, defeating France to clinch the Junior Davis Cup trophy in October.
On Sunday afternoon at the Madrid Arena, the Russian Tennis Federation beat Croatia 2-0 to win their third Davis Cup title following their triumphs in 2002 and 2006.
World No. 5 Andrey Rublev won the opening singles rubber 6-4, 7-6(5) over Borna Goyo. The 24-year-old did not face a break point and hit 18 winners to win after one hour and 33 minutes.
Reporting for duty 😎@AndreyRublev97 sends RTF within reach 6-4 7-6(5)#DavisCupFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/KjBY7I1ZRx
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) December 5, 2021
“It was super tough,” Rublev said in his on-court interview. “There was a lot of pressure on me. Borna was playing unbelievably for the past two weeks. He has been some amazing players and was amazing today. I will enjoy the moment.”
Later, Medvedev, who did not drop a set at the tournament, overcame Marin Cilic 7-6(7), 6-2 in one hour and 32 minutes to secure victory.
The World No. 2 was strong on serve, struck eight aces and won 87 per cent of points behind his first delivery.
The moment @DaniilMedwed defeated Cilic 7-6(7) 6-2 to clinch a third Davis Cup title for RTF ⚪️🔵🔴#DavisCupFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/yX6rrIQm4x
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) December 5, 2021
“It feels amazing,” Medvedev said afterwards. “But I’m more happy for the team than for myself. We have an amazing team, amazing atmosphere. I’m happy to be part of it and bring the points we need. It’s never easy to come here at the end of the season but they were some of the best weeks of my career.”
