Cilic leads Croatian bid to dethrone France

ZAGREB: World number seven Marin Cilic wi l l spearhead Croatia’s bid for just a second Davis Cup triumph when they face France in Lille later this month, the Croatian tennis federation said Tuesday.

Cilic, 30, will be joined by Borna Coric, ranked 12th, as well as Franko Skugor, Mate Pavic and Ivan Dodig, a federation statement said.

The 21-year- old Coric secured Croatia’s 3- 2 semi- final victory after beating Davis Cup debutant Frances Tiafoe in the decisive match.

The Davis Cup fi nal takes place in Lille, France on November 23-25 on clay courts.

It will be Croatia’s third final after winning the 2005 title and losing in 2016 to Argentina.

Last year, the French beat Belgium in the fi nal to claim their 10th crown. In 2014 they lost to a Swiss team led by Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka.

The meeting is a repeat of the football World Cup fi nal in July in Moscow, which France won, 42. — AFP