Saturday, November 26, 2016

Marin Cilic will try to get Croatia off to a winning start in Zagreb

Marin Cilic (second left) and Ivo Karlovic will be in singles action for Croatia on Friday
Marin Cilic (second left) and Ivo Karlovic will be in singles action for Croatia on Friday

Croatia's Marin Cilic will take on Federico Delbonis of Argentina in the opening match of the Davis Cup final in Zagreb on Friday.

Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro will then tackle big-serving Ivo Karlovic in the second singles contest of the day.

Saturday's doubles rubber is scheduled to pit Croatia's Franko Skugor and Ivan Dodig against Leonardo Mayer and Guido Pella, ahead of the reverse singles on Sunday.

World No 6 Cilic won the US Open in 2014 and will be fancied to get the hosts off to a winning start against Delbonis.

Cilic is hoping to guide Croatia to a second Davis Cup title
Cilic is hoping to guide Croatia to a second Davis Cup title

Del Potro admits the big serving Croatian is still one of the world's best players. 

"Marin is a good player, I've known him since 12 years old and we've had a similar career," he said.

"He's a very good friend of mine on the tour. He deserves to be No 6 in the world at the moment. He's a great player and he has a chance to win this trophy this weekend, but we will try and win as well."

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Karlovic is back in the Croatia squad after a four-year absence and he will face a tough task against Del Potro, who won the US Open himself in 2009 and has enjoyed a renaissance this year, after a period when he struggled with injury.

Croatia are seeking a second Davis Cup title while Argentina have been runners-up on four occasions but have never won.

Juan Martin del Potro will be a key figure for Argentina this weekend
Juan Martin del Potro will be a key figure for Argentina this weekend

Cilic is desperate to secure a second Davis Cup triumph for his country, having watched Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic claim a first title back in 2005.

"It was a huge achievement for our team, winning in 2005," reflected Cilic. "We hope we __can continue with this good run."

However, Argentina have a 3-0 head-to-head record against Croatia, winning quarter-finals in 2002 and 2012 in Buenos Aires and 2006 in Zagreb.

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