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Marin Cilic of Croatia plays at the Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain, November 23, 2022. /CFP
Marin Cilic on Wednesday led Croatia into the Davis Cup semifinals, knocking out six-time champions Spain who were missing Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, the world's two top-ranked players.
World No. 17 Cilic, 2014 U.S. Open champion, fought back to defeat 13th-ranked Pablo Carreno Busta 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) as Croatia booked a semifinal clash against Australia.
Earlier on Wednesday, Borna Coric had set the 2005 and 2018 champions on their way, defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
Pablo Carreno Busta (L) of Spain shakes hands with Marin Cilic of Croatia during their Davis Cup match in Malaga, Spain, November 23, 2022. /CFP
Cilic, 34, who made his Davis Cup debut back in 2006, dropped the first set, gave up a break in the decider and was 1-4 down in the tiebreak before triumphing after three hours and 13 minutes on court.
His 20 aces helped alleviate the damage caused by 15 double faults at the Palacio de Deportes in Malaga, Spain. Croatia were runners-up to Russia in the 2021 final.
"It was an incredible battle," said Cilic.
However, he admitted that the absence of the current world No.1 Alcaraz and 22-time Grand Slam title winner Nadal played into the hands of Croatia, who had lost all of their three previous Davis Cup meetings with Spain.
"It would be much different. Nadal has been during all his career a leader of the team. He's one of the best Davis Cup players ever. Carlos, fantastic season for him. Such a pity for him to get injured," he added.
(With input from AFP)
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Copyright © 2023 CGTN. 京ICP备16065310号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466