US-Open champion in Amsterdam
The Dutch tennis top awaits a heavy task this weekend: to beat the Croatian Davis Cup team. The team of captain Jan Siemerink (‘just call me Jan’) with De Bakker, Haase, Sijsling and doubles specialist Rojer has a lot of potential for this combat. Though, the Croatian captain Zeljko Krajan even has the brand-new US Open champion Marin Cilic at his disposal. If there were any doubts if the world number nine would come to Amsterdam after his triumph in New York? ‘No, definitely not. Marin would definitely come to The Netherlands and help his team out as much as possible’, tells an enthusiastic team captain. ‘I’m so proud of the Croatian players this week! The team members really show courage representing their country and they work so hard. And that Marin doesn’t simply return home, but comes to join the team is great. This also gives the other players a good feeling and more confidence.’ Also Siemerink and Haase admit the way Cilic played during the US Open to be extraordinary good. ‘It is nice to see someone win a Grand Slam who has worked so hard for it. He is a nice guy, he played great and he deserved to win,’ looks Haase back on Cilic’s victory.
Adjusting to an indoor clay court in just 1,5 day?
If Cilic will already play a single on Friday? Both captains have their own vision on that. Siemerink: ‘There are two ways to look at this situation. On the one hand, Cilic will enter this Davis Cup week full of confidence. On the other side he just has one day and a half to adjust to an indoor clay court. If he thinks after hitting a couple of balls: “I’m still feeling great”, than he’ll definitely play, possibly even on Friday. We do take this possibility into account.’ Krajan, who also flew in Mate Delic (154) as backup tells us that theoretically it is impossible that Cilic will play on Friday. Letting him play the doubles on Saturday and singles on Sunday is also a good option. ‘Though, if he wants to play on Friday already, of course we’ll let him!’
Magic water in Croatia?
Next to Cilic, also two doubles specialists Marin Draganja (35 in doubles) and Franko Skugor (107 in doubles) and former Junior number one Borna Coric (176) who already has beaten Janowicz (41) and Rosol (27), are part of the Croatian team. On the question if there exists magic water in Croatia creating all these talented players answers the captain: ‘Well, I do not know why we have so much good individuals. May be the young talented players experience some difficulties in the training facilities in Croatia that makes them even stronger, tougher and more hungry compared to some countries with better facilities.’
More fun with a crazy crowd
The Croatian players are very much looking forward to play in front of the Davis Cup crowd. ’ Draganja: ‘I always find it great to play in front of an audience who really is into tennis. It’s more fun if a lot of people watch me play. And let’s hope that the few Croatian fans will shout loud enough to notice them in the Orange crowd,’ he jokes. Also the Bakker, who already showed to be able to play extraordinary well in front of the Dutch crowd, tells us that he loves to play in this Davis Cup team. ‘Tennis really is an individual game and personally I like it much more to play with a team and to be surrounded by people. It makes me feel more comfortable.’ Looking forward the Croatian captain think anything can happen and the chances are 50-50. And let’s be honest, like Jan says: ‘before our meeting with the Czech Republic we thought we wouldn’t stand a chance and actually that turned out to be quite differently.’ So whether or not Cilic will play on Friday, the ‘Dutchies’ are ready for Croatia. And no matter what, Ziggo Dome awaits a great tennis weekend!
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