Russia Roar Dominant At Davis Cup Victory

Russia’s 15-year waiting for a Davis Cup trophy finished Sunday after an extra blazing play by Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev defeated Marin Cilic 7-6 (7), 6-2 in the next singles meet to provide Russia an unbeatable 2-0 lead atop Croatia in the terminal. It is Russia’s third Davis Cup trophy and leading since 2006.

Andrey Rublev previously had conquered Borna Gojo in level sets to put the Russians advanced at the Madrid Arena. Russia’s another Davis Cup trophy was in 2002.

“What I love about these kinds of tournaments, when we play as a country, is the bond we create a team,” Rublev told a news conference. “We do everything together and it creates this will to win for your friends, for the team.”

Croatia also was attempting its third title after victories in 2005 and 2018. Russia performed a scope of team games after the women’s side succeeded at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Prague last month. The last country to do the dual had held by the Czech Republic in 2012. Croatia was no newcomer to this step, this was their third Davis Cup final in five years after their 2016 loss to Argentina and 2018 triumph over France.

Cilic had opportunities in the opening set, including a breakpoint on Medvedev’s next shot at 4-3 but attacking backhand results hit the line, and rather, it moved to a tie-break.

Rublev’s accuracy from the baseline had advanced shown certain but Gojo shoved him strongly, especially in the second set, when the Croatian managed 5-4 in the tie-break.

Yet Rublev performed under stress, shooting an excellent move under the line before an inside-out forehand victor began match point, which he turned when a Gojo backhand floated high.

The Russians swayed a group that involved defending winner Spain and Ecuador, then drove past Sweden in the quarterfinals. Croatia succeeded in a group with Australia and Hungary, then beat Italy in the last eight.