Davis Cup 2018 – Croatia vs USA: Marin Čilić Makes it 2-0

by croatiaweek
September 14, 2018
in Sport

Čilić and Tiafoe (Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

Croatia is in the box set of the Davis Cup semifinal with the USA after Marin Čilić convincingly won the second match on opening day in Zadar.

The world No.6 showed his class to put Croatia 2-0 up with an impressive straight-sets win 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) over 20-year-old Frances Tiafoe who was making his Davis Cup debut.

Čilić broke to love in the second game of the match which set the tone for the first set. He broke to take the first set in just 26 minutes 6-1.

Čilić did not take his foot off the pedal and a double break early in the second set as the sun came out in Zadar put him up 4-1.

Tiafoe got one break back but Čilić would break again when Tiafoe double-faulted to hand to him 6-3.

🇭🇷 @cilic_marin is storming through his match against Tiafoe! The world No. 6 leads by 2 sets and is just one away from giving Croatia a 2-0 lead in the semifinal!

🇭🇷1️⃣🆚0️⃣🇺🇸 #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/JVeiiL1UKa

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 14, 2018

Čilić would take the third set in a tie-breaker to put Croatia one point away from reaching the Davis Cup final.

“The first set and a half I was playing well before Frances found his rhythm. He played great in the third set and it was a battle. I had to work more for my points but I am happy with my composure during the match,” Čilić said after the match.

There was no stopping 🇭🇷 @cilic_marin today!

Some superb play saw the Croatian run out 61 63 76(5) winner over Tiafoe to give Croatia a 2-0 lead in the semifinal!

🇭🇷2️⃣🆚0️⃣🇺🇸 #DavisCup pic.twitter.com/2iTwY0oytr

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) September 14, 2018

Earlier world No. 18 Borna Ćorić gave Croatia a 1-0 lead 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.

Borna Ćorć (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.

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.