Croatian tennis is rolling at the 2021 Davis Cup!
The team – comprised of Marin Čilić, Borna Gojo, Nikola Mektić, and Mate Pavić – just beat Italy in their own house. However, this tournament format is much less enjoyable than in past years.
(Personal grip alert) This is an absolutely dumb format compared to the traditional Davis Cup tournament, which ended in 2018 and was ultimately won by Croatia. Venues are predetermined before the tournament begins which takes away from any home court advantage. The semis and finals would be played in Madrid for Croatian tennis with a possible matchup against Serbia looming.
Here is the official report from Reuters on Croatia vs. Italy:
“Croatia became the first team through to the last four of the Davis Cup Finals after doubles pair Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić beat Italian duo Fabio Fognini and Jannik Sinner to seal a 2-1 victory in Turin on Monday.
Sinner had battled back from the brink of defeat to beat Marin Čilić and take the tie to a decider after lowly-ranked Borna Gojo shocked Lorenzo Sonego to put 2018 champions Croatia in the driving seat in the tie.
World #1 pair Mektić and Pavić proved too strong as they silenced the crowd in the Pala Alpitour Arena in Torino to claim a straightforward 6-3 6-4 victory in one hour 19 minutes.
Croatia, who reached the quarterfinals by topping Group D last week, will face either Serbia or Kazakhstan Friday in Madrid for a place in Sunday’s final which, will also be held in the Spanish capital.”
Is coric out of serevice?
Think he had surgery not too long ago
Not a huge fan of the format but it is pretty good for us since doubles is worth 33% of the result and basically it’s a given win for us every tie lol. So just need one of the other two to win their matches which obviously theyve done each time so far. The best was HRV 3 – 0 AUS of course 😉