RUSSIA BEAT CROATIA TO WIN THIRD DAVIS CUP

Madrid (Spain), Dec. 6: Russia claimed a third Davis Cup title on Sunday after Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev both won their singles matches to defeat Croatia. Medvedev’s 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 victory over Marin Cilic came after Rublev had earlier prevailed 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) over Borna Gojo, giving Russia an unassailable 20 lead in Madrid.

Croatia’s greatest chance would have been in the doubles with world number one pair Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, but they always needed a surprise in the singles to take the tie to the final rubber.

Instead, Medvedev and Rublev, ranked two and five in the world respectively, held their nerve to make it nine out of 10 victories for Russia’s power pair in the tournament. “I can say that for all of us it’s very important to win here. It’s still the Davis Cup,” said Medvedev.

“No matter the format, the best players in the world are happy to represent their country. It’s Davis Cup and we are the winners of it. That’s the most important thing.” Russia have not won the Davis Cup since 2006 and failed to reach a single quarter-final between 2011 and 2018.