Old Davis Cup format shines bright in US-Croatia series
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ZADAR, Croatia (AP) — Fans banging drums and blowing trumpets for hours on end. Colorful costumes. Chants more reminiscent of soccer games than tennis matches.
Plus, a series of marathon matches featuring constant momentum changes and drama.
The atmosphere at the best-of-five semifinal series between Croatia and the United States over the weekend was a reminder of what makes the old Davis Cup format so attractive.
"Very few matches players will ever play in their career have more pressure than that," U.S. captain Jim Courier said after Croatia's Borna Coric ground out a five-set win over Davis Cup rookie Frances Tiafoe in the fifth and deciding match Sunday .