Borna Coric on Sunday bested 2020 U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem in an exhilarating 7-6 (3), 6-2 match, propelling Croatia into the group stage of the Davis Cup.
Coric helped the Croatians win their second Davis Cup title in 2018, however he was sidelined once they misplaced within the 2021 remaining whereas lacking a yr of motion with a proper shoulder damage.
He returned to the tour final March, profitable a Masters 1000 title in August in Cincinnati, Ohio, and rejoined the Croatians once they reached the Davis Cup semifinals final yr.
His victory over Thiem, who has additionally handled accidents lately, gave Croatia a 3-1 victory in Rijeka. The Austrians had taken the tie towards the No. 1 group within the Davis Cup rankings to a fourth match when Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler beat Ivan Dodig and Nikola Mektic 6-3, 7-6 (11) within the doubles match earlier Sunday.
Chile, Finland, the Netherlands, South Korea and the Czech Republic additionally accomplished victories Sunday to safe their locations within the subsequent spherical, which shall be performed in September.
On Saturday, the U.S. accomplished a sweep of Uzbekistan, whereas Serbia, France, Britain, Switzerland and Sweden additionally completed off victories. Those 12 international locations will play within the group stage, together with reigning champion Canada, 2022 runner-up Australia and wild-card recipients Italy and Spain.
Eight groups will then advance to the closing matches of the Davis Cup Finals scheduled for Nov. 21-26 in Malaga, Spain.
In Sunday’s different matches:
– Finland 3, Argentina 1: On indoor arduous courts in Espoo, Finland, Harri Heliovaara and Emil Ruusuvuori edged Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4, earlier than Ruusuvuori secured the profitable level and a private 3-0 weekend by beating Facundo Bagnis 7-5, 6-1.
– Netherlands 4, Slovakia 0: On indoor arduous courts in Groningen, Matwe Middelkoop and Wesley Koolhof despatched the hosts via with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Alex Molcan and Lukas Klein. Middelkoop then beat Jozef Kovalik 6-4, 6-4.
– South Korea 3, Belgium 2: On indoor arduous courts in Seoul, the hosts rallied from a 2-0 deficit after the primary day. Min-Kyu Song and Ji Sung Nam saved them alive with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) victory over Joran Vliegen and Sander Gille. Soonwoo Kwon then beat David Goffin 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 earlier than Seong Chan Hong accomplished the comeback with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory over Zizou Bergs.
– Czech Republic 3, Portugal 1: On an indoor clay courtroom in Maia, Portugal, Jiri Lehecka wrapped up the victory by beating Joao Sousa 6-4, 6-1.
– Chile 3, Kazakhstan 1: On an outside clay courtroom in La Serena, Chile, Cristian Garin beat Alexander Bublik 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 after the hosts had taken the lead with a victory by the doubles group of Alejandro Tabilo and Tomas Barrios Vera.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
