2016 Davis Cup WG SF: [5]France vs Croatia? (c) (FRA 2 - 3 CRO WINS)

[masterclass]

France with so many talented players from which to choose.

Captain Yannick Noah gives his team an evaluation


The draw:

The Stage:

Zadar, Croatia, Kresimir Cosic Hall - Indoor hard, CPR: medium slow

Poll: France or Croatia?

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[masterclass]

[42]Borna Coric and [17]Richard Gasquet start it off at 2:00 pm local time in Croatia (1 pm BST).

Which player takes the 1st rubber?

Highlight match is probably the next one between world #11 and 2014 USO winner Marin Cilic, and fast rising world #18 22 year old 2016 US Open Quarterfinalist Lucas Pouille.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Mastoor]

This seems like more even match. I am surprised France have Pouille playing singles, why not Monfils or Tsonga or Simon instead?

 

[britbox]

I've voted Croatia but changed my mind. France to win 3-2. I think they win the doubles for sure. The singles are hard to call... but I'll go with a 2-2 split.

 

[Tennisproguru.com]

I am going for France. Doubles are theirs for sure.

Coric is injured, so I think he will lost on Friday with Gasquet. And then France needs just one more single to win. And think they can do it.

 

[Carol]

Rafa has gastroenteritis so Feli is playing for him but he will be able to play tomorrow or Sunday singles or doubles
I can't believe after to win the DC so many times they did so bad the last two years

 

[isabelle]

Rchie won the first set but was broken in the second

 

[britbox]

Is Richie playing Coric @isabelle?

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

Marin Cilic (Croatia) beat Lucas Pouille (France) 6-1 7-6(4) 2-6 6-2
Richard Gasquet (France) beat Borna Coric (Croatia) 6-2 7-6(5) 6-1

 

[masterclass]

@britbox, DId you not like it in the original post?

Or maybe you thought it was worth repeating?

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[masterclass]

30 year old Richard Gasquet overwhelming (with exception of tiebreaker 2nd set) 19 year old #NextGen star Borna Coric in his backyard.
Good match from Richard. Backhand was too solid. Coric imploded too much on this medium-slow court.

In the other match (I have no video for it yet) Cilic was a bit too much for 22 year old Lucas Pouille. Cilic powered his way through this court, and even though Pouille battled, he was worn down by the end.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[isabelle]

Hope Mahut/Herbert can win today, we badly needs this point

 

[masterclass]

Croatia's Cilic & Dodig d. France's world #1 doubles team of Mahut/Robert 7-6(6), 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 to give Croatia a 2-1 lead going into the final day. I didn't see the match but I imagine the crowd had to help pull them through those tiebreakers.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Mastoor]

Rafa has gastroenteritis so Feli is playing for him but he will be able to play tomorrow or Sunday singles or doubles
I can't believe after to win the DC so many times they did so bad the last two years

Rafa's stomach disagrees with curry.

They had arguments with the team captains in last two years, no? No wonder they didn't do well if they didn't want to play.

 

[Carol]

Rafa's stomach disagrees with curry.

They had arguments with the team captains in last two years, no? No wonder they didn't do well if they didn't want to play.

Yep, there was certain disagreements with certain captain but fortunately those problems have finished

 

[Billie]

Hope Mahut/Herbert can win today, we badly needs this point

Unfortunately they lost today. I wanted them to win for you. French players take Davis Cup seriously and I want them to win one of these soon.

 

[masterclass]

A fired up Marin Cilic took down Richard Gasquet in straights, 6-3, 6-2,75 to win the tie.

France's Lucas Pouille routined Marin Draganja in the dead rubber 6-4, 6-4.

Croatia moves on to the final!

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[isabelle]

awful result for captain Noah, sad for the team