OSIJEK, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Croatian rising tennis star Borna Coric and Canadian teenage sensation Denis Shapovalov got statement wins for their teams on the first day of the Davis Cup tie between Croatia and visiting Canada here.
Coric got home team to a lead by beating Vasek Pospisil 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 and Shapovalov answered with a blasting performance against 27-year-old world No. 181 Viktor Galovic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, on an indoor clay court that should bring some advantage to the home nation.
"Clay proved to be a right choice for our team because Pospisil would be a more dangerous opponent on a hard court," Croatian captain Zeljko Krajan said at the conclusion of the first two singles matches.
"We got what we wanted since we opted not to use Marin Cilic on the first day. Now, that we will have him as an option for Saturday doubles or just for the singles match on Sunday. We are slight favorites to win the tie," Krajan said.
There is no secret that Saturdays doubles could be a crucial match. Visiting captain Frank Dancevic will stick to the nominated combination, 45-year-old multiple Grand Slam champion Daniel Nestor and 27-year-old Pospisil, former Wimbledon champion in doubles.
"We have different options and all of them are good as we proved in the past by winning the doubles point with different teams. I am confident that we can't go wrong with any of the three possible combinations," Krajan said.
