DAVIS CUP FINAL: Croatia vs. Argentina

DAY ONE RESULTS

Rubber 1: Marin Cilic vs. Federico Delbonis

Rubber 2: Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Ivo Karlovic

When you play singles, you play for one and sometimes if you don’t feel like giving a hundred percent you don’t.  When you play doubles, you play for two (the team) and if you don’t feel like giving a hundred percent, you try because you do not want to let your partner down.  When you play Davis Cup, there is no “I do not feel like giving 100%” thought or feeling.  There is a certain pride that comes with playing Davis Cup and when you step on the court to compete you are representing your entire country and you try with everything within you to give more than 100% because winning your match makes the whole country proud, a feeling that is indescribably special.

The pressure unfortunately remains squarely on your shoulders, you have to find the game, the determination and the focus to execute your plan and win the match.  The tension level is extremely high.  Some players rise to the occasion and some falter at the task.  Delbonis fought his heart out after losing the first two sets.  It looked like things would end suddenly for the Argentine; however, Cilic plagued by a bought of nerves, dropped the next two sets rather easily to allow Delbonis to stay in the match.  He just could not get over the finish line though as Cilic regrouped mentally to end the match in the Croats favor.  He won 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 1-6, 6-2.   Del Potro defeated Karlovic 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-5 to even the tie.  It was a hard fought battle and both players like their earlier teammates were feeling the pressure.

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