Maradona sees Argentina level Davis Cup final

AFP, ZAGREB: Argentina football legend Diego Maradona was courtside as Juan Martin del Potro beat veteran Ivo Karlovic to draw his country back level at 1-1 against Croatia in the Davis Cup final on Friday.
Maradona, 56, who inspired Argentina to glory at the 1986 World Cup, watched on with his girlfriend as Croatia went 1-0 up when Marin Cilic battled back from a mid-match collapse to beat Federico Delbonis 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 1-6, 6-2 at the Zagreb Arena. But in the second rubber Del Potro left the final all square when he despatched big-serving 37-year-old giant Karlovic 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 7-5.
It was a fine performance from the Olympic silver medallist, who had secured Argentina’s appearance in their fifth final when seeing off Andy Murray—his Rio conqueror—in an epic five-setter against the defending champions Great Britain in the semi-final in Glasgow. Del Potro, 28, is a veteran of two losing finals—both against Spain in 2008 and 2011 — while Karlovic is the oldest player to feature in a Davis Cup singles match since 43-year-old Australian Norman Brookes in 1920.
Del Potro was rock solid, allowing the Croat not one break point in the entire match which kept the 15,000-capacity crowd enthralled for three hours and 19 minutes.
He clinched the rubber on his second match point.
“I was nervous after I lost the second set but in the end I had to take the longer road to victory,” said Del Potro.
Earlier, former US Open champion Cilic appeared to be cruising towards a routine victory only to lose his way after storming into a two-set lead over the world number 41.

Maradona sees Argentina level Davis Cup final

AFP, ZAGREB: Argentina football legend Diego Maradona was courtside as Juan Martin del Potro beat veteran Ivo Karlovic to draw his country back level at 1-1 against Croatia in the Davis Cup final on Friday. Maradona, 56, who inspired Argentina to glory at the 1986 World Cup, watched on with his girlfriend as Croatia went 1-0 up when Marin Cilic battled back from a mid-match collapse to beat Federico Delbonis 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 1-6, 6-2 at the Zagreb Arena. But in the second rubber Del Potro left the final all square when he despatched big-serving 37-year-old giant Karlovic 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 7-5. It was a fine performance from the Olympic silver medallist, who had secured Argentinas appearance in their fifth final when seeing off Andy Murrayhis Rio conquerorin an epic five-setter against the defending champions Great Britain in the semi-final in Glasgow. Del Potro, 28, is a veteran of two losing finalsboth against Spain in 2008 and 2011 while Karlovic is the oldest player to feature in a Davis Cup singles match since 43-year-old Australian Norman Brookes in 1920. Del Potro was rock solid, allowing the Croat not one break point in the entire match which kept the 15,000-capacity crowd enthralled for three hours and 19 minutes. He clinched the rubber on his second match point. I was nervous after I lost the second set but in the end I had to take the longer road to victory, said Del Potro. Earlier, former US Open champion Cilic appeared to be cruising towards a routine victory only to lose his way after storming into a two-set lead over the world number 41.