Croatia's Borna Gojo returns the ball to Italy's Lorenzo Sonego during their Davis Cup men's single Finals tennis match at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press
TURIN, Italy (AP) - Borna Gojo gave Croatia an early lead over Italy on Monday in the Davis Cup quarterfinals, beating Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-2 in the opening match of the best-of-three series.
U.S. Open champion Marin Čilić will next face 20-year-old Jannik Sinner.
'œWe knew we had to try to get one point from two singles," Gojo said. "We're confident in doubles.'ť
Played in three cities, each matchup on indoor hard courts is a best-of-three series featuring two singles and one doubles match.
Gojo, who is 252 places below the 27th-ranked Sonego, trailed 4-1 in the opening set before forcing the tiebreak. Sonego rallied in the second set but continued to make errors in the third, including wasting three break points in the seventh game.
'œI knew third set it was either one's game - one set, anything can happen,'ť Gojo said. 'œIt was really tough game at 4-2 and I managed to hold. So yeah, I'm really happy.'ť
The other quarterfinals are: Britain vs. Germany; Serbia vs. Kazakhstan; and the Russian team vs. Sweden.
The semifinals and final will be played in Madrid.
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Croatia's Borna Gojo celebrates after scoring a point against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego during their Davis Cup men's single Finals tennis match at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press
Italy's Lorenzo Sonego returns the ball to Croatia's Borna Gojo during their Davis Cup men's single Finals tennis match at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press
Italy's Lorenzo Sonego celebrates after scoring a point against Croatia's Borna Gojo during their Davis Cup men's single Finals tennis match at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press
Croatia's team stands prior to the start of the Davis Cup men's single Finals tennis match between Italy's Lorenzo Sonego and Croatia's Borna Gojo, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press
Italy's Croatia's team stands prior to the start of the Davis Cup men's single Finals tennis match between Italy's Lorenzo Sonego and Croatia's Borna Gojo, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
The Associated Press