USA levels things with Croatia

Chair Umpire Ramos hands Cilic warning for slamming raquet

September 16, 2018 10:45 pm | Updated 10:45 pm IST - Zadar (Croatia)

 A word of caution: Marin Cilic smashed his raquet after committing a series of uncharacteristic errors late in the third set.

A word of caution: Marin Cilic smashed his raquet after committing a series of uncharacteristic errors late in the third set.

The United States continued its Davis Cup fightback on Sunday to draw level with hosts Croatia heading into the last singles match of their semifinal here.

Sam Querrey beat Croatia's top player and world number six Marin Cilic 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-4.

The winner will face defending champion France in November’s final.

Cilic and Borna Coric won their singles matches on Friday.

In a dramatic doubles rubber on Saturday, the US cut Croatia's lead to 2-1 as Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison beat Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic.

Croatia has made the final twice — in 2005, when it was crowned champion, and in 2016.

Croatia has seen off 2007 Davis Cup winner USA in each of its four previous Davis cup meetings.

Jim Courier's team is missing two top players — John Isner, the World No. 10 who has stayed home for family reasons, and injured Jack Sock.

Code violation

Chair umpire Carlos Ramos has issued a code violation to Croatia after Cilic slammed his raquet to the clay and mangled the frame during his match against Querrey.

Since it was the first violation of the match, it was only a warning. No points were deducted and Cilic did not exchange any words with Ramos.

Ramos was also the umpire who gave Serena Williams three code violations in her straight-set loss to Naomi Osaka during last weekend’s U.S. Open final.

The American great argued she wasn’t being treated the same as some male players.

The normally collected Cilic lost his cool after committing a series of uncharacteristic errors late in the third set against Querrey.

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