Argentina on Monday finally won its first Davis Cup title, defeating Croatia 3-2 in the final in Zagreb on Sunday.
This was their fourth Davis Cup final, but the first which ended with them emerging victorious.
They clinched victory as Fredrico Delbonis beat Ivo Karlovic in the last rubber in straight sets to spark wild celebrations. The team huddled around over Delbonis and the fans in the stands, including football legend Diego Maradona, went delirious. (Video above)
The win though was hard-fought for del Potro’s team, who trailed the Croats 1-2 after Juan Martin del Potro and Leonardo Mayer lost the doubles rubber to the Croatian team of Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig in straight sets, 7-6, 7-6, 6-3.
Del Potro though redeemed himself soon enough and led the Argentine fightback. In a clash between two former US Open champions, Del Potro staged an epic comeback from two sets down against Marin Cilic to send the tie into the decisive rubber. Del Potro’s 6-7, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 win was achieved in four hours 53 minutes.
The tie included some nerve-wracking moments as well as some cheeky gameplay from the confident Argentine.
Del Potro’s victory went on to inspire his teammate Delbonis, who had been defeated by Cilic in the fifth set in their singles rubber on Friday.
With its win, Argentina became the only third country to win the Davis Cup title after being down 1-2. Only Serbia and Russia have successfully overcome such deficits to claim the coveted title.