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By Alberto Amalfi | Sunday, September 18, 2016

 
Marin Cilic

"We have always been playing well in Davis Cup. It's something that's in your heart," said Marin Cilic after leading Croatia to the Davis Cup final.

Photo credit: @DavisCup

Marin Cilic confesses his Davis Cup drive comes from the heart.

This weekend, Cilic put Croatia on his back and carried the home side into its first Davis Cup final since 2005.

Watch: Cilic, Dodig Strike Again

Cilic overpowered Richard Gasquet, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5, clinching Croatia's 3-1 conquest of France in the Davis Cup semifinals in Zadar.




"When you look at the atmosphere it's an incredible feeling," Cilic told Davis Cup.com afterward. "It's been a dream weekend for us, I played incredible tennis. I produced a great performance for all the crowd. I can't be more proud than right now."

The 2014 US Open champion accounted for all three points, defeating Lucas Pouille to level the tie on Friday then partnering Ivan Dodig to defeat Wimbledon champions Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut, 7-6 (6), 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3, in doubles to stake Croatia to a 2-1 lead yesterday.




"We have always been playing well in Davis Cup," Cilic said. "It's something that's in your heart. If we can play the final at home it would be an amazing spectacle."

French captain Yannick Noah, who was without Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils, hoped Gasquet could use his versatility and all-court acumen to defeat Cilic for the third time in four meetings.

The 6-foot-6 Cilic commanded the center of the court and hit through Gasquet.

In a strong serving performance, Cilic cracked 14 aces against no double faults and won 64 percent of his second-serve points.

Dancing around his backhand, Cilic drove a forehand winner down the line to seal a one-set lead.

The Croatian No. 1 won seven of nine points played on Gasquet's second serve in the second set, breaking twice for a two-set lead.

Cilic blasted a backhand crosscourt for break point and broke for 6-5 on a Gasquet forehand error.

A leaping high forehand volley ended the two hour, 14-minute victory.

If defending Davis Cup champion Great Britain beats Argentina, then Croatia will visit Britain in the November 25-27th Davis Cup final. If Argentina defeats the defending champion, the Croatia will host Argentina in the final.

In 2005, a Croatian squad led by Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic became the first unseeded nation in history to win the Davis Cup.


 

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