28 Nov 2016

Argentina win first Davis Cup title

10:24 am on 28 November 2016

Argentina have won their first ever Davis Cup tennis title after Juan Martin Del Potro and Federico Delbonis won this morning's reverse singles to seal their comeback 3-2 win over hosts Croatia in the final.

Juan Martin del Potro celebrates his Davis Cup win over Marin Cilic with Argentina fans

Juan Martin del Potro celebrates his Davis Cup win over Marin Cilic with Argentina fans Photo: AFP

Croatia led 2-1 going into the final day in Zagreb and looked on course for their second title when Marin Cilic led Juan Martin del Potro by two sets to love.

But Del Potro staged a remarkable comeback to win 6-7 2-6 7-5 6-4 6-3 in four hours 53 minutes.

Federico Delbonis then swept past Ivo Karlovic 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the decisive fifth contest to clinch victory.

Argentina had lost in four previous finals but, roared on by a vociferous 1,500-strong crowd of travelling fans, which included 1986 World Cup winner Diego Maradona, the visitors secured a stunning win.

The victory capped a terrific year for Del Potro which has seen the 28-year-old return from four wrist surgeries to win Olympic silver and beat the likes of Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and, in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup, Andy Murray.

"His comeback is the comeback of history, his comeback today was the comeback of the Davis Cup," said Argentina captain Daniel Orsanic.

"He's a genius. His heart is so big."

- Reuters, BBC