Sports Betting Articles
Argentina to host Australia in Davis Cup semi-final
By Darrell Halim
Argentina have won an exciting Davis Cup quarterfinal tie against defending champions Croatia in Zagreb to book a home semi-final tie against Australia.
The Argentines entered the final day with a 2-1 advantage and were hoping that their world No.3 David Nalbandian could avoid sending the tie to a live fifth rubber by defeating Croatian Cup hero and world No.5 Ivan Ljubicic in the first match of the day.
However, playing captain Ljubicic was able to keep Croatia’s hopes alive with a convincing 6-3 6-4 6-4 straight-set defeat of Argentina’s No.1 player.
With Croatian No.2 Mario Ancic unavailable to play due to an injured back, Argentina were always going to be favourites entering the live fifth rubber. As it turned out, two fresh players contested the vital fifth rubber, with Sasa Tuksar representing the home team in place of 17-year-old Marin Cilic, while Argentine captain made a brave decision to field Juan Ignacio Chela instead of Agustin Calleri, who played on the opening day.
With the Argentine being ranked No.31 in the world, the 158th-ranked Tuksar was a clear underdog entering the match. Despite some stiff resistance at times, the result eventually unfolded as expected with Chela finishing on top, 3-6 6-4 7-6(6) 7-6(5).
After Tuksar claimed the opening set, an upset suddenly seemed possible. However, Chela steadied proceedings by levelling the match at one set apiece. When the Croatian failed to capitalise on the opportunities presented to him in the third set, Argentina could feel the grip on the tie strengthen.
For Croatia, the fourth set went to another agonisingly close tiebreaker that was eventually lost. Tuksar managed to save four match points before finally handing Argentina their second Davis Cup semi-final berth in as many years.
The loss at home was Croatia’s first since falling to Portugal in 1999, while Argentina can now look forward to their first home semi-final in five years.
Argentine Cup captain Mancini was glad that they had a home semi-final and was equally positive of his team’s chances in September’s tie.
“It’s a long way away, but every time we play at home we feel great,” said Mancini. “It will be difficult but I fancy our chances.”
With Argentina’s win, Australia’s Davis Cup team have been given the opportunity to avenge last year’s disappointing quarterfinal defeat in Sydney at the hands of the South Americans.
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