Davis Cup Finals 2021: Russia beat Croatia to win Davis Cup

Davis Cup Finals 2021- Russia beat Croatia 2-0: World No 2 Daniil Medvedev and World No 5 Andrey Rublev sealed the deal for the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF). Riding on their wins in the singles rubbers, Russia clinched their third Davis Cup title beating Croatia 2-0 in Madrid. Rublev beat Borna Gojo while Medvedev beat Marin Cilic. Follow all the latest updates on InsideSport.IN

It is a double delight for RTF after the women’s team won the Billie Jean Cup (formerly Fed Cup) with a 2-0 victory over Switzerland in the final last month. Russia became only the fourth nation to win both Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup titles in the same year.

It should be noted that Russian tennis stars are not playing under the Russian flag as the country is serving a ban for a doping violation.

Davis Cup Finals 2021: Double delight for Russia, Andrey Rublev & Daniil Medvedev power RTF to third Davis Cup title

Davis Cup Finals: Double delight for Russia, Andrey Rublev & Daniil Medvedev power RTF to third Davis Cup title

In the first singles tie, Andrey Rublev beat Borna Gojo 6-4, 7-6(5) at the Madrid Arena on Sunday to give Russia a 1-0 lead over Croatia in the Davis Cup final and put them in a strong position to capture a third title. In the second singles match, World No 2 Daniil Medvedev struggled in the first set, taking it 7-6 (7) against Marin Cilic but breezed past the Croat 6-2 in the second set to seal the title for Russia.

The moment @DaniilMedwed defeated Cilic 7-6(7) 6-2 to clinch a third Davis Cup title for RTF ⚪️🔵🔴#DavisCupFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/yX6rrIQm4x

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) December 5, 2021

Daniil Medvedev was strong on serve, firing eight aces and winning 87 per cent (45/45) of points behind his first delivery. It is the third time the Russian Tennis Federation has won the Davis Cup, also triumphing in 2002 and 2006.

“It feels amazing. I am more happy for the team than myself. We have an amazing team with an amazing atmosphere and I am just happy to be able to be part of this team to win the points we needed. It was an amazing two weeks. I am really happy,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview.

Davis Cup Finals 2021: Double delight for Russia, Andrey Rublev & Daniil Medvedev power RTF to third Davis Cup title

2002, 2006, 2021 🏆🏆🏆

RTF are World Champions for the third time! 🎾#DavisCupFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/LcJjse9frn

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) December 5, 2021

Reporting for duty 😎@AndreyRublev97 sends RTF within reach 6-4 7-6(5)#DavisCupFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/KjBY7I1ZRx

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) December 5, 2021

Earlier, Andrey Rublev had set the wheels in motion, downing Borna Gojo 6-4, 7-6(5) to give the Russian Tennis Federation a 1-0 lead. The 24-year-old did not face a break point and hit 18 winners to win after one hour and 33 minutes.

“It was super tough. There was a lot of pressure on me. Borna was playing unbelievably for the past two weeks. He has been some amazing players and was amazing today. I will enjoy the moment,” Rublev said in his on-court interview.

Davis Cup Finals 2021: Double delight for Russia, Andrey Rublev & Daniil Medvedev power RTF to third Davis Cup title

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Matches:

Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs Borna Gojo (CRO): Rublev won 6-4, 7-6 (5)

Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs Marin Cilic (CRO): Medvedev won 7-6 (7), 6-2

Andrey Rublev/ Aslan Karatsev (RUS) vs Nikola Mektic/ Mate Pavic

Russia beat Croatia– While Croatia reached the Davis Cup final after Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic beat Novak Djokovic and Filip Krajinovic 7-5 6-1 in a decisive doubles clash in the semifinals, the Russian Tennis Federation beat Germany 2-1 in the semi-finals.

The US Open champion Daniil Medvedev comfortably beat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 6-4 to give his team an unassailable 2-0 lead before Germany won the doubles to restore some pride on their exit from the competition.

Davis Cup Finals 2021: Double delight for Russia, Andrey Rublev & Daniil Medvedev power RTF to third Davis Cup title

Davis Cup Finals Squad:

Russia: Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev, Aslan Karastsev- Andrey Rublev

Croatia: Borna Gojo, Marin Cilic, Nokola Mektic-Mate Pavic, Nino Serdarusic

Checking in on finals day 🕺@AndreyRublev97 🤜🤛 @DaniilMedwed #DavisCupFinals #byRakuten pic.twitter.com/ZdHmLD7Goo

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) December 5, 2021