News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 7 years ago
Rediff.com  » Sports » Davis Cup PIX: Croatia and France deadlocked after singles

Davis Cup PIX: Croatia and France deadlocked after singles

September 17, 2016 12:15 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

France's Richard Gasquet reacts after winning the singles match against Croatia's Borna Coric during their Davis Cup semi-final tie in Kresimir Cosic Hall, Zadar, Croatia, on Friday

IMAGE: France's Richard Gasquet reacts after winning the singles match against Croatia's Borna Coric during their Davis Cup semi-final tie in Kresimir Cosic Hall, Zadar, Croatia, on Friday. Photograph: Antonio Bronic/Reuters

Croatia and France were tied at 1-1 after Friday’s singles in their Davis Cup semi-final clash in Zadar after Richard Gasquet and Marin Cilic both won their matches.

Gasquet, who stood in for the injured Gael Monfils, put the visitors ahead with a no-nonsense 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-1 victory against Borna Coric.

Marin Cilic then levelled the three-day tie by beating Lucas Pouille 6-1, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-2.

Gasquet, who was called into the team on Wednesday when US Open semi-finalist Monfils pulled out with a knee injury, blazed through the match against Coric, relying on his trademark backhand winners.

Croatia's Marin Cilic in action during his singles match against France's Lucas Pouille

IMAGE: Croatia's Marin Cilic in action during his singles match against France's Lucas Pouille. Photograph: Antonio Bronic/Reuters

“I know how to beat Cilic, it’s going to be a tough match, he’s on his home turf and won in Cincinnati but I know how to play to beat him,” said Gasquet, looking ahead to Sunday’s reverse singles.

Pouille, who beat Rafael Nadal in the last 16 of the US Open, was no match for Cilic, whose serve was too much to handle for the Frenchman. Cilic, the World No 11, dominated his opponent with his powerful forehand and closed it out when Pouille served his fifth double fault.

Saturday’s doubles will feature Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert against Marin Draganja and Ivan Dodig.

The winner of the tie will face either Argentina or Britain in the final.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024