Davis Cup 2018 Semifinal: Croatia 1-0 USA
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia v USA – Davis Cup semifinal (Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)
World No.18 Borna Ćorić has given Croatia the perfect start in their Davis Cup semifinal against the US on Friday.
Ćorić kicked off the semifinal on Friday morning at Sportski Centar Visnjik in the Dalmatian city of Zadar with a straight sets win over world number 30 Steve Johnson 6-4, 7-6, 6-3.
The 21-year-old Croatian, who is having the best season of his career after reaching the last 16 at the US Open, was impressive in his victory which took two and a half hours.
Ćorić and Johnson (Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)
Ćorić broke Johnson once to take the opening set before breaking in the first game of the second set. Johnson got the break back to level at 3-3 and forced the set into a tie-break which Ćorić would take after three forehand errors from Johnson.
When Ćorić broke to go 3-1 up in the third set there would be no coming back for Johnson and the Croatian would comfortably close out the set and match in just under 2 and a half hours.
(Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)
“I served very well all day today. I don’t think he had many break point opportunities but when he did I came up with an ace or a big winner. My forehand was also very good today,” Ćorić said after the win.
(Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)
World No.6 Marin Čilić will have the chance to put Croatia 2-0 up when he takes on 20-year-old Frances Tiafoe in the second match of the day.
Čilić and Tiafoe (Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)
On Saturday the doubles match will take place between Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavić and Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison. That match will start at 2 pm.
The second semifinal is being played between France and Spain in Lille.
