Davis Cup: Federer, Del Potro, Goffin - these were final times
Final day in Madrid, 18 teams at the first Davis Cup after the new final tournament mode, there are still two teams left - Spain and Canada. We as a nostalgic but like to look back on the last five finals, which were held after the classic model.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 24, 2019, 07:56 am
2014: Federer and Wawrinka win in France
Who remembers: There were many question marks before the start of Roger Federer - a few days before the start of the final in Lille Maestro could not compete for the finals at the AT Finals due to back problems. Good from the Swiss point of view that Stan Wawrinka won the opening match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets. The subsequent appearance of Federer against Gael Monfils resembled a on ice, as uncertain seemed the Basel bidder. Monfils won in three sets. Severin Lüthi then put everything on the card "Fedrinka" - and the two top Swiss players had in double with Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau no problems. Just as little as Federer on Sunday with Gasquet, which he defeated smoothly in three sets and so ensured the victory of the Confederates.
2015: Andy Murray scores three points in Ghent
Yes, it was the Andy Murray Festival in Ghent. It was Kyle Edmund in the first match against David Goffin on the way to a sensation, led with 2-0 sets. Goffin came back, taking the home side's lead. It was foreseeable that Ruben Bemelman's Andy Murray would not be able to slow down afterwards. In the doubles, then brother Jamie was allowed to assist in the four-set win against Goffin and Steve Darcis, but the third and crucial point, of course, Sir Andrew brought. Very confident against David Goffin.
2016: Del Potro creates history in Zagreb
How easy it would be to skip Federico Delbonis when looking back at the 2016 final. But it was the left-hander, who had brought the third and crucial point for the guests from Argentina against Ivo Karlovic. In memory, however, the first match of the Sunday has remained above all: Since Juan Martin del Potro succeeded for the first time before the eyes of football icon Diego Maradona to turn a match after 0: 2-Satzrückstand. And that against the number one Croatian, Marin Cilic. He had defeated Delbonis in five sets on the first day and also got the doubles on the side of Ivan Dodig.
2017: A David Goffin is not enough
That's how it sometimes happens: That the best player of a weekend does not go home with the winner's trophy, the supposedly ugliest salad bowl in the world. David Goffin breaded first Lucas Pouille and on Sunday also Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but had to watch as Tsonga on matchday Steve Darcis left no chance, on Saturday Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Richard Gasquet won the double. And Pouille in the all-decisive fifth encounter Darcis in only three sets left four games.
2018: Marin Cilic rehabilitates
Nice to have at least a second chance: Marin Cilic, who had the Croatian victory in Zagreb against del Potro on the racket in 2016, made it better two years later, won his individual against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and on Friday in Lille Final day also against Lucas Pouille. He had saved up for this appearance, to kick off the final Jeremy Chardy against Borna Coric had no chance. The honor point for the French was booked by Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in doubles.