Not only are Croatia and Spain rivals in one of the most enticing matches of the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Malaga. The two countries occupy the first and second place in the ranking prepared by the International Tennis Federation based on their regularity in recent years.
The Balkans, champions of the Maximum Countries competition on two occasions, 2005 and 2018, Present in their ranks are three of the players who won away from home to France.
Repeat in singles by Borna Couric and Marin Cilic -They have a fancy alternative like Burna Jojo that was revealed in the latest version- And Mate Pavic in the doubles.
The only change is that Pavić’s partner is Nikola Mektic, not Ivan Dodig.. “We can’t win the Davis Cup if we don’t have good doubles,” Novak Djokovic said last year after losing in the semifinals in Madrid to the Croats.
Pavić and Mektic were there to serve as executioners for world number one and Filip Krajinovic“I have already decided who will accompany Marcel Granollers in the doubles,” confirms Sergi Bruguera.
The answer is that Pablo Carrillo has more options than Pedro Martinez, even though he’s handicapped playing the second point of the series. Therefore, in the event of an attachment to one, it will be necessary to evaluate their sensations and their mental and physical condition.
Elbow protector
His right elbow was loaded after his first session in Malaga which is why he was wearing a protector. Vedran Martic, captain of Croatia You don’t have to hide your cards because you have one of the best doubles doubles in the world.
Last Sunday’s Masters Cup finalists, in turn, won 14 titles, five of them this season, including Wimbledon and the gold medal in Tokyo.. Pavić and Mektic got together in 2021 and they haven’t tired of winning since. MARCA meets them before the series with Spain.
“We were already friends before playingBonded by their love of basketball and specifically the NBA, they work as one on the court. “I think it’s good to arrive after playing in Turin because we’re in a competitive rhythm. Others will stop two or three weeks before the Davis Cup finals and I don’t think it’s easy to reconnect on a mental level to compete again.”Matt reflects.
Spanish connection
“In doubles we need less time to acclimatize, so arriving in Malaga two days early is not a hindrance,” Nicola noted.
The doubles players feel at home in Malaga because of the great relationship they have with Spain. Pavić has his favorites in Spanish cuisine having lived in Barcelona where he trained with Flix Mantilla and Karim Perona..
“I am familiar with the food and the lifestyle here, and that everything is done a little later than in other places.” Their favorite restaurant is the London Tercio Exchange where they spend their nights at Wimbledon where they celebrate the Queen’s title.
Mektic learns Spanish thanks to his girlfriend Jimena, a natural pharmacy student from Madrid: “I love the language. Before I met her, I only spoke a few words. Now I’m left with more, but with her. It’s a very good-sounding language.”
With the new format change, since the Cosmos’ arrival in 2019, tag team point has come to just over 33 percent of the playoffs. Last year, Croatia stood in the final, where Pavić and Miktic won the quarter-finals in Italy against Fabio Fognini and Janik Siner 6-3, 6-4, and the semi-finals with Serbia’s Djokovic and Krajinovic 7-5, 6-1. Their only defeat as a pair at the Tennis World Cup was in the group stage in September in Bologna with Fognini and Simone Bolelli as forwards 3-6 7-5 7-6. The other six matches fell to his side. “It’s the first time since 2018 that we have the full squad. There was no Coric, no Cilic. But we had Borna (Jojo), who won great games. I don’t think anyone expects us to beat us easily 2-0,” Mektic says. “It’s an advantage for us that the number of doubles is so important now.”
Regarding the sensitive losses of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, the first and second numbers in the ATP rankings, Pavić does not hide that “Of course it is a loss for Spain. Nadal will not play, but Carlos knew he was in the team.” Although I think with him in the team, we also had our options because Borna (Couric) played several times with both Carrillo and Bautista. And what to say about Marin, who lost very close to Alcaraz at the US Open. I think our individual players can win anyone.”
As many as eight times Roberto Bautista and Coric have faced each other, with maximum equality. The second Croatian racket decided in his favor the last three matches. They will be responsible for opening the series.
Cilic dominates head to head with Carrillo 4-1 Although Asturian won for the last time at the Tokyo Games. Carpena will be full.
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