Edition: English | 中文简体 | 中文繁体 Монгол
Homepage > Sports Video

Argentina are the Davis Cup champions after Federico Delbonis beats Ivo Karlovic

CCTV.com

11-28-2016 16:03 BJT

Time for tennis and the final of the Davis Cup. Hosts Croatia held a 2-1 lead over Argentina in the best-of-five tie and would send out their top player, world number six Marin Cilic.

He took on Argentina's ace, Juan Martin del Potro, a former top five player whose current ranking of 38 is the result of a nearly two-year struggle with injuries. But Del Po is healthy again and back to his best as he showed by capturing silver at the Rio Olympics and would reinforce his status once again in Zagreb.

The first set goes to a tiebreaker and Cilic in the red now has set point leading 6-4. He steps in to deliver a backhand to the corner and Del Potro can't do much with it as Cilic claims the frame.

After Cilic wins the second 6-2, Argentina seem to be done, but Del Potro suddenly wakes up. He chases down the drop shot and Cilic lifts a lob to the back corner. Del-Po has no option except to go between his legs and he drops it into the far corner for an incredible winner, en route to taking the set 7-5. Argentina fans go mad, particularly vocal garden gnome Diego Maradona.

Del Potro continues his comeback and now has set point in the fourth. Cilic smacks a flat forehand but the Argentine responds by whipping a winner to take it 6-4.

Del Potro serving for the match, and he wins the decider 6-3 to complete a remarkable comeback that pulls Argentina level at 2-2 and forces a deciding match. Gnomee likee.

Delbonis tops Karlovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 for nation's first title

Federico Delbonis now needs to beat Croatia's Ivo Karlovic to give Argentina it's first Davis Cup title. Delbonis nails a fantastic passing shot en route to winning the second set 6-4 for a 2 sets to none lead.

Karlovic down a break in the third and needing to dig deep, but Delbonis is relentless and he crushes a return winner to the corner.

Match point now for Delbonis, and when Karlovic returns long it's all over. A stunnning three set victory to clinch Argentina's first title. His teammates rush onto the court for a good old fashioned pile-on and from the sound of their supporters, you'd never guess this is in Croatia. Maradona is ecstatic as a sea of blue and white go crazy. An amazing comeback for the South Americans who embrace the massive trophy for the first time.

Follow us on

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Instagram

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Wechat