SO MUCH TO CROAT, CILIC
MARIN CILIC secured Croatia’s second Davis Cup title with a comprehensive victory over France’s Lucas Pouille in Lille.
The hosts entered yesterday’s final day looking to become the first country since 1939 to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the final, having lost both matches on Friday, but Cilic gave them no chance.
France had given themselves a lifeline at 2-1 after victory in Saturday’s doubles but Cilic snuffed out any hopes of a comeback with a 7-6 6-3 6-3 win over Pouille (above) to give his side an unassailable 3-1 lead.
“It’s not every day that you become a world champion,” said the 30-year-old after guiding his country to their first Davis Cup triumph since 2005. “For us it’s a dream come true.”
Cilic’s win meant the fifth match between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Borna Coric was not played.