Zagreb, Nov. 24 (GNA/dpa) - Croatian point man Marin Cilic will open Croatia's Davis Cup final against Argentine Federico Delbonis as the hosts look for their first title since 2005 in the worldwide team competition after the draw made on Thursday.
Visiting Argentina is meanwhile heading into its fifth final without having lifted the silverwear in any of four previous encounters.
The second singles rubber on Friday will send Croatia's ace-maker Ivo Karlovic into his first Davis tie in four years, with the big man facing Argentine hero Juan Martin del Potro.
Del Potro has not played on the ATP for a month, returning to South America to work on his game after a comeback this season from the wrist problems which have plagued his career.
In Saturday doubles, Croatians Franko Skugor and Ivan Dodig will face Leonardo Mayer and Guido Pella. The reverse singles are Sunday.
Cilic, ranked a career-high sixth, is confident heading into battle after playing last week in the World Tour Finals in London.
"I think Croatia are the favourites to win the tie," Del Potro said, echoing his refrain from the past months. "They are at home and have a very strong team.
"We are still looking forward to a great weekend - we are very proud to be in another final."
Del Potro said his task against Karlovic, aged 37, will be a huge challenge: "I'll have to be focussed, one break of serve could cost me the match. It is great to be in the final after I've suffered so many injuries."
Cilic called Del Potro "a great player and a very nice person. We always get along very well on the ATP tour and he is a very positive character for world tennis."
With Diego Maradona due in to cheer his Argentine compatriots, the Croatians will have to ignore the hype.
"It will make no difference to have Maradona here, there is very little between our two teams," Cilic added.
While never having lifted the trophy, Argentina stand 3-0 in the series over Croatia, beating the Balkan side in 2002, 2006 and 2012,
GNA
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