Strong Croatia team named for Davis Cup Finals in Madrid 

(Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

ZAGREB, 21 October 2019 – Reigning champions Croatia have today named their strongest possible squad for the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals which start in Madrid next month. 

Croatia coach Željko Krajan named his team on Monday. The team is Marin Čilić, Borna Ćorić. Mate Pavić, Nikola Mektić and Ivan Dodig

Čilić and Ćorić will lead the way in the singles, whilst Pavić, Mektić and Dodig will feature in the doubles. The team will be the same as the one which lifted the Davis Cup in 2018. 

The Davis Cup Finals start on 18 November at the Caja Magica and Croatia have been draw alongside Russia and Spain in Group B. The group winners and two best runners-up will advance to the quarter-finals. The semi-finals will both be held on Saturday, November 23, with the final the following day. All matches will be the best of three sets, replacing the five set matches in the old format.  

The four semi-finalists will also book a place in the 2020 finals, with the two worst teams in the group stage dropping into the Zone Group competition with the other 12 sides to play in the qualifiers.

(Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

2019 Davis Cup finals

GROUP A: France, Serbia, Japan

GROUP B: Croatia, Spain, Russia

GROUP C: Argentina, Germany, Chile

GROUP D: Belgium, Australia, Colombia

GROUP E: Britain, Kazakhstan, Netherlands

GROUP F: United States, Italy, Canada

Monday, November 18

• Croatia v Russia (Group B)

• Italy v Canada (F)

• Belgium v Colombia (D)

Tuesday, November 19

• Argentina v Chile (C)

• France v Japan (A)

• Kazakhstan v Netherlands (E)

• Spain v Russia (B)

• United States v Canada (F)

• Australia v Colombia (D)

Wednesday, November 20

• Argentina v Germany (C)

• Serbia v Japan (A)

• Britain v Netherlands (E)

• Croatia v Spain (B)

• United States v Italy (F)

• Belgium v Australia (D)

Thursday, November 21

• France v Serbia (A)

• Germany v Chile (C)

• Britain v Kazakhstan (E)