Davis Cup: USA shortened by five set double thriller against Croatia

In the Davis Cup semi-final against Croatia, the USA has reduced to 1:2. The US Open winner in doubles Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison beat Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic in five exciting sets 7:5, 7:6 (6), 1:6, 6:7 (5) and 7:6 (5).

After USA captain Jim Courier described the matches after the singles on Friday as “do-or-die”, the Davis Cup winner from 1992 and 1995 set up Mike Bryan, the reigning US Open winner in doubles, and Ryan Harrison.

And the team captain’s plan was to work out first. The two Americans played well and were highly concentrated in the decisive moments. In the first set Bryan/Harrison managed the decisive break to 7:5 and were in the tiebreak in passage two wafer-thin in front. An 8:6 in the short decision gave the two Americans a 2-0 lead.

The atmosphere in Zadar was electrifying and Dodig/Pavic on the other side did not give in. With an outstanding third set the hosts shortened with a 6:1 in the sets to 1:2.

The match was hard to beat in tension and slight mistakes were rarely seen by the spectators in Croatia. Many points were played in a high-class double style and both teams fought for every point. The decision of the fourth round was also sought in the tiebreak and Dodig/Pavic equalized with a 7:5 in the sets.

Bryan and Harrison got off to a better start in the deciding set, but they quickly had to give up their early lead with a re-break. The atmosphere in Zadar was great, every point won by the home team was frenetically celebrated by the fans.

The exciting match culminated in the third tiebreak of the match – with a better end for the Americans. With a tight 7:5 in the tiebreak, Bryan/Harrison secured the USA’s chance to reach the Davis Cup final and shortened it to 1:2 overall.