Team USA was leading 2-0 after Day 1 but on Saturday, the comeback started. Twins Bob and Mike Bryan got upset by the strong Croatian team, made from former US Open champion Marin Cilic and a long-term Top 10 doubles player, Ivan Dodig. Cilic and Dodig won the match in 4 sets, 6-2 2-6 6-2 6-4, in just 2 hours and 16 minutes.
On Sunday, Cilic surprisingly bounced back from his 5 set loss to Jack Sock and the doubles just the day before. Cilic defeated the American No. 1 John Isner in straight sets. Cilic won after 2 hours and 7 minutes 7-6(9) 6-3 6-4, sending the tie into the decisive fifth rubber.
Jack Sock was a favorite coming into the final rubber against Borna Coric, as Sock beat Cilic and Coric lost to Isner in straight sets on Day 1. Coric was defeating the expectations right from the start, taking the first set 6-4. Sock did take the second set 6-3, but after 3 hours, Borna Coric was the winner, with the final scoreline being 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-4.
“Borna showed us the last few years how tough he is. He gained us the critical point in Belgium earlier this year.”
Marin Cilic commented on Coric’s win.
“Our team shows us how much spirit we have. We played amazing tennis all weekend. Borna played amazing tennis here today, managed unbelievably to fight, to stay in there.”
“It was not easy. I was fighting.” said Coric. “These guys (the Croatian team) were unbelievable. The crowd was unbelievable.”
