Argentina wins Davis Cup in 95 years

Argentina (2nd in world ranking) won a world tennis championship for the first time in the country’s history after defeating Croatia (5th in world ranking) to win the 2016 Davis Cup.

The South American country pulled off a stunning 3-2 comeback after winning the third and fourth singles in the finals of the Davis Cup, which was held in Zagreb, Croatia, on Sunday (local time). This is the first time that Argentina has won the Davis Cup, a world cup for male tennis players, since its debut in 1921. The best records so far for the country were a second place, which was attained over four times in 1981, 2006, 2008, and 2011. The championship also made Argentina the first South American nation to win the Davis Cup.

Under the rule of the finals, four singles and one doubles are to be played, and Croatia was leading by 2-1 after winning the doubles a day earlier. In the 115-year history of the Davis, there have been only seven cases where a team lagging behind by 1-2 reversed their fortunes at the final to lift the trophy.

It was Juan Martin Del Potro (28) that allowed his team to go the distance. Del Potro, who is ranked 38th in men’s single, rallied from two sets down (6-7, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3) to defeat Marin Cilic (ranked 6th) after spending 4 hours and 53 minutes on the court. It was a dramatic reverse accomplishment despite his finger injury sustained in the fifth set. In fact, he had never won from two sets down before the final round.

His tenacity proved to be contagious among teammates. Argentine Federico Delbonis (26, ranked 41st) took up the baton to kneel Ivo Kalrovic (37, ranked 20th) in a clean sheet 3-0 victory (6-3, 6-4, 6-2), which made his team a world champion. “We’ve played for our country with our hearts. I feel like I am still dreaming. I am so happy,” said Delbonis after the game was finished.

On the other hand, Croatia, which was seeking to take back the Davis Cup in 11 years, conceded a bitter loss to Argentina in its home turf.

Kyu-In Hwang kini@donga.com