Marin Cilic will play his second Davis Cup final against France this weekend. The world number 7 had surrendered in 2016 against Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro. The Croatian had the opportunity to give the victory to his country against the Argentine before cracking after leading two sets to nothing. In Lille, he will have the opportunity to wash off this affront.
Croatia will play the final of the Davis Cup against France in Lille this weekend. A very important meeting for Marin Cilic. The world number seven must wash the affront he suffered in Zagreb two years ago against Argentina.
Far from being imperial at the time, Marin Cilic had had all the trouble in the world first to beat Federico del Bonis. A five-set victory after leading two innings in opening (6-3 7-5 3-6 1-6 6-2). Meanwhile, Juan Martin del Potro took the best of Ivo Karlovic to equalize in four sets.
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Full-blown for the double, Cilic won in three sets with his partner Ivan Dodig against Potro-Mayer. Croatia leads 2-1 and Marin Cilic has the opportunity to offer a second silver bowl to his nation, after that of 2005. And for that, it will beat Juan Martin del Potro.
Under the eyes of Diego Maradona, Marin Cilic starts his final perfectly. Impressive, the Croatian wins the first two rounds 7-6 6-2. But the Argentinian, already winner of Andy Murray, at home in Glasgow after an extraordinary match, does not loose anything and eventually come back to Cilic. The latter cracks, under the pressure of Argentina, under the weight of history and ends up losing in five sets. Cruel disillusionment for the winner of the 2014 US Open.
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Maybe something to rely on for the Blues. Marin Cilic is friable. He had bitten the dust in front of Sam Querrey on Zagreb clay in the semifinals, forcing Borna Coric to play a fifth decisive game of all dangers. In 2016, he also stumbled on Jack Sock after leading two innings to nothing. While the qualities of Marin Cilic are obvious, he is much less sovereign than he can be on the ATP circuit. And that's all the charm of the Davis Cup.