Davis Cup: Borna Coric becomes a hero: Croatia in the final

Borna Coric becomes a hero for the Croats! The world’s number 18 defeats Frances Tiaofe in five sets and thus crowns a fabulous catch-up race of the US boys.

Tiafoe started like the fire brigade and quickly took a 4:1 lead. His Croatian opponent, however, was only briefly upset and equalled the score with three games in a row to 4:4.

After that, neither Coric nor Tiafoe managed a break and so a tiebreak had to bring the decision. In this the American showed his best tennis and did not leave Coric a single point.

Despite the enormous pressure the two players showed great tennis and inspired the fans in Zadar with spectacular rallies.

Coric was even able to raise his level again in the second section and dominated the action almost at will from then on. He quickly took a 5-0 lead before winning the set 6-1 two games later.

The 21-year-old continued this performance seamlessly in the third set and went into the lead 5:1. But then Coric suddenly collapsed completely, committed an enormous number of Unforced Errors and was suddenly confronted with a 5:6 deficit.

Coric saved himself in the following game at least in the tiebreak, in which he was trailing 2:4 at the first change of sides. Especially Tiafoe played excellent tennis in this phase and silenced the fanatical fans in Zadar again and again.

Nevertheless, Coric continued to fight – at 6-5 he even had a set point, but Tiafoe could destroy it. The tension was clearly noticeable to both fan camps, especially the Croatians did not want to see a clear lead again. Her compatriot Marin Cilic had missed five 2-0 set leads in his defeat against Sam Querrey.

But Coric should not do them this favour, after another forgiven set point and a lot of drama the tiebreak finally went with 13:11 to the self-sacrificing fighting Tiafoe.

Anyone who thought that the local hero would surrender to his fate without a fight after this blow of the neck was mistaken. Coric played his second Game Breakballs. He didn’t use them yet, but two games later he used a possibility for 3:1.

With another service breakthrough at 5:1, Coric set the course for the fifth set. This time he did not let himself be asked twice and served out for 6:1. A decisive final round had to bring the decision – pure drama.

In addition, the lighting conditions became increasingly difficult. With no floodlight in Zadar, the players had almost 40 minutes to complete the highly dramatic encounter.

Tiafoe got the better start into the fifth set and even had two break points at the score of 1:0. But Coric fought them both off and won the game for 1:1. the Croatian took the momentum and broke for 3:2.

Coric remained extremely cool and could present to the 5:3. With another break to 6:3 the Croatian fixed the entry into the final for his team. The 6:7 (0), 6:1, 6:7 (11), 6:1 and 6:3 victory marked the final point of an outstanding Davis Cup semi-final.

In the final, the Croatians will play France in November. Yannick Noah’s team defeated Spain 3-2.