To beat the Croatia the only way is to close it before the double and for the Russia, which ranks two top5 in the singular, there are no problems. Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev arrange it in two sets each and tie the 2-0 that gives the Russians the Davis Cup, the third after those of 2002 and 2006. And conveniently they do it before the Balkans can field their best card, that is the pair of doubles n ° 1 in the world composed of Mektic and Pavic.

This time no miracle of n ° 279 Borna Gojo, who after making the Top100 three shoes is called to climb Everest. What then would it be Rublev, No. 5 ATP. Yet, even here Gojo manages to respond to the abyss that thus separates him from the opponent, making blow for blow. It will be enough to keep it in balance, but not to scare the Russian. Who in the first breaks the serve on 3-3 and from there controls, capitalizing on the second set point available with the ace of 6-4. In the following game, on the other hand, it goes even further, because the Croatian is very solid in serving and takes it up to a draw equally fought. Here, amidst errors born of tension and signature shots, Rublev earns the match point by going to 6-5, on the exchange that follows Gojo gets stuck in the crossed backhand and finally bows his head.

It’s up to Medvedev and against him is Marin Cilic, called to the bang that would ferry his men to the calm seas twice as much. And he would also succeed, were it not for the fact that in front of him he has a granite rival in the service that concedes only one ball for the break, promptly canceled. Cilic creates more but concedes a little too much on the forehand, however, Medvedev does not pass and he is here too draw. This time it goes to the bitter end but the rudder is still in Russian hands, with the Croatian canceling the first two set balls but on the third lap the backhand dribble ends 1-0. Russia is now a game from winning Davis and Medvedev is too on track to pass up the opportunity: a couple of quick batting rounds and then a quick escape to the 6-2 closing the tournament.