Both players came into this match knowing that the winner of this match would win the tie, and the title. Therefore, this match holds a lot of meaning and importance. Karlovic comes into this match as the favourite as he is higher-ranked and has a 3-1 head to head record against Delbonis. The only win by Delbonis was also a retirement by Karlovic, so Karlovic was definitely the favourite here.
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| Argentinian Davis Cup team with the Davis Cup title. Photo from Eurosport website. |
1st Set: Great start for Argentina
Federico
Delbonis had troubles with his serve early in the first set, with Karlovic
always threatening to make a breakthrough by always coming close to break point
opportunities. Nevertheless, Delbonis managed to show nerves of steel to fend
off all the pressure and win his service games. Unexpectedly, Delbonis was the
player who made the first breakthrough in the match, by breaking Karlovic’s
very strong serve to take the lead in the match. Delbonis then successfully
served out the set 6-3 to keep Argentina just 2 sets away from winning the tie.
2nd Set: Delbonis inches closer to a title win for Argentina
In the 2nd
set, both players were very solid in their service games, with none of them
able to break serve early in the set. We finally saw a break of service in the
9th game where Delbonis was again the one who drew first blood in
the set with Karlovic looking leaky at the net. Delbonis managed to serve out
the set comfortably in the next game, taking a 2 set to love lead and made
Argentina an inch closer to winning their 1st ever Davis Cup title.
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| Delbonis' reaction after winning a point. Photo by Eurosport Asia Website |
3rd Set: Delbonis secures the title for Argentina
There was
a break early in the 3rd set, with Delbonis breaking once again to
have the lead and the win in his hands. Delbonis had another great opportunity
to break once more at 3-1, but Karlovic calmed his nerves, and much to the
delight of the home crowd, Karlovic managed to hold his serve, saving break
points. Nevertheless, Delbonis continued playing high quality tennis and he
finally got his second break in the set, and fourth in the whole match, in the
7th game when Karlovic looked very unsteady at the net once again. The
break also allowed him to have the opportunity to serve for the match, and the
title. Karlovic sent a forehand return long down match point, and that gifted
the Davis Cup title to Argentina. Argentina finally won their 1st
ever Davis Cup title, and it was somewhat a very emotional one.
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| The Argentinian Davis Cup team celebrating their victory on court. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images |
Highlights from the match: