'Del Potro bordering on the impossible'

Argentina lifted their first Davis Cup title after Juan Martin del Potro and Federico Delbonis won yesterday morning's (Singapore time) reverse singles to complete the South American nation's spectacular comeback in a 3-2 victory over hosts Croatia in the final.

Del Potro fought back from two sets down to beat Marin Cilic 6-7(4/7), 2-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 before Delbonis swept aside Ivo Karlovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the decisive rubber, sparking wild celebrations among several thousand away fans in the Zagreb Arena.

Argentina joined the list of Davis Cup winners after losing all their four previous finals, and their dismal record in the showpiece appeared set to continue when Cilic came within a set of clinching Croatia's second title.

The 2005 winners saw the red carpet pulled from under their feet, however, as a battling del Potro launched a ferocious comeback and played through the fifth set with a broken finger on his left hand.

"It happened when I tried to catch a ball in the fifth set," del Potro, who has struggled with wrist injuries in recent years, told a news conference before rushing back courtside to watch Delbonis pick apart Karlovic.

JUBILATION: Juan Martin del Potro lifts Argentina's first Davis Cup with his teammates watching. PHOTO: AFP

EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTING

"This was an emotionally exhausting match and one of the biggest wins of my career.

"Thanks to all those who prevented me from retiring, I was very close to never playing again and, well, here I am."

Cilic, meanwhile, said: "It's a very hard defeat to take.

"I am very disappointed but I have no regrets because I gave all I had and it was just one of those days when it didn't come off."

Having clinched the opening set tie-break, Cilic raced through the second set before del Potro, who improved his record against the Croat to 9-2 in all competitions, started his comeback with a passing shot between his legs.

He broke Cilic's serve in the ninth game of the fourth set and then held his own to draw level, but fell behind again at the start of the fifth, handing the initiative back to the home favourite.

But once again del Potro showed nerves of steel and the heart of a lion as he broke straight back and forced the final twist to seal the contest in four hours 53 minutes, laying the path for Delbonis to finish the job.

His teammate did so superbly, holding serve throughout his one-sided contest with Karlovic as he kept running the Croat ragged with punishing baseline shots.

STANDING OVATION

The Argentine fans, including the country's former World Cup winner Diego Maradona in the VIP box, treated their team to a standing ovation at the end of the tie as disappointed home supporters left the Zagreb Arena in a hurry.

Argentina coach Daniel Orsanic, who has Croatian roots, heaped praise on all his players but singled out del Potro's heroics.

"What del Potro did was amazing. He represents his country with so much pride and he also showed how good a player he is," he said.

"His achievement today borders on the impossible, while Federico played a perfect match and was on top of every ball throughout the contest."

A delighted Delbonis added: "The team captain selected me to play the final rubber but anyone on this team is always ready to step up."

- Wire Services.