Sweden with brothers Elias and Mikael Ymer made a heroic effort, but Croatia won after winning the doubles.
Sweden won 2-1 against Argentina and Croatia first in the table after a 0-3 defeat to Italy ahead of their second group stage match in Bologna.
– We knew from the beginning that we could have been in the most difficult group with Italy, Croatia … Maybe they are the favorites to win everything. We started well against Argentina. It changed the dynamics of the group a bit, I would say. I thought we had a good chance today. It was very close, says Elias Ymer.
In terms of ranking, Elias was one of the narrow favorites against Borna Gojo in the first singles match. At the same time, he was a great warning flag for the Croatian service.
Elias’ serve impressed too, and the rewards were almost one hundred percent in the first set. Elias had a 2-1 break point in the first set, but had to wait two games later for the break. With two serves in the next game, he had gained a 4-2 lead.
With a good slice for the whole set, he slowed down the times and disturbed the Croatian and after half an hour of play came the next break. Elias won the last game clearly and 6-2 after the first set finished in 34 minutes. There is reason to note the first set stats where 79% of first serve went to Elias, where he won 87%. Elias represented only five “unforced errors”.
“Elias play so far could serve as an instruction booklet for every junior. Elias shows a record I had never seen him before,” said SVT expert Magnus Gustafsson before the second set.
Elias Ymer responded with a strong effort in the first match. Photo: Ion Alcoba, Quality Sport Images / Kosmos Tennis
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Elias was badly eliminated in the fourth game of the second set where the Croatian had a break point, but a couple of excellent first serve cleared the situation. The Croatian, on the other hand, breaks up to 4-2, as Elias did not put his first serve in order. The Croatian orchestra blared after every ball won for Croatia, which seemed to have plugged in a plug. However, Elias got a second set ticket through the intermission already in the next game. The 4-3 became 4-4. Borna Gojo offered two double fouls (out of a total of four so far in the second set) in the next game, but she managed to solve her serve game with a closing ace. Elias responded for a blank game and 5-5 – which became 6-6 and a tiebreak after an hour of play in the second set. Elias played consistently throughout the tiebreak and won it 7-2.
– He was very balanced in the second set. Serving him makes him feel like a lottery. He has a great game in him, which he showed in Madrid last year. Now I gave Sweden the lead, just like yesterday, so now let’s hope for Mikael, said Elias who won 6-2, 7-6 (2).
Mikael Ymer’s big game wasn’t enough. Photo: Ion Alcoba, Quality Sport Images / Kosmos Tennis
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After four consecutive defeats for the Croatian team (0-3 yesterday against Italy), there was pressure on former world number one Borna Coric (now 26th). The Croatian also won the Cincinnati Masters tournament, before the US Open, after eliminating Lorenzo Musetti (33), Rafael Nadal (3), Roberto Bautista Agut (19), Felix Auger-Aliassime (9), Cameron Norrie (11) ) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (7).
Mikael Ymer, ranked 98, won against Diego Schwartzman on Tuesday and entered this match with good confidence. After a long debut game, the break came immediately for the Croatian, who did not give much in his service game. New break points for Borna Coric up to 4-1, but instead 3-2 and the set was alive. Mikael then had a break point for the 3-3, but the Croatian held out for the 4-2. Mikael then held the serve, despite the break balls against him, in a match that held a very high standard.
The players kept the serve and the time for the Croatian to serve at home the set at 5-4. After a long duel with the ball, Borna Coric finally managed to win 6-4.
The second set started in the best way for Sweden and Mikael Ymer who immediately broke through at 2-0 and 3-0. He then kept the serve in the next game and won the set 6-2. The play in the second set has long been world-class (only three “unforced errors” in the entire set of Mikael Ymer).
A third and decisive set was expected, a set that could decide whether or not the quarter-finals would be played. Borna Coric took a 3-0 lead after a good start with a clean serve and a break. Mikael held the serve at 3-1 and had a chance to break the next one, but instead it was 4-1 for the Croatian, who led 5-3. Would Micke have grabbed the last straw? The answer was no, even though he was close. Koaten had 40-0 and three match points. Mikael saved all three impressively and then had a 5-4 break point. Then another match point saved. By the fifth ball of the match, it was over. Croatia had drawn 1-1 in the matches before the decisive double.
Johan Hedsberg chose the Ymer brothers in the decisive double. Photo: Bildbyran
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There, Sweden fielded Elias and Mikael Ymer, who have an ATP title together after winning the Stockholm Open six years ago. It remained to be seen whether the tactical change from the previous game, when André Göransson and Elias Ymer played, would affect the Croatians. As expected, they have lined up with former world number one Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic with Grand Slam titles, countless ATP titles and Olympic gold in the bag.
At 3-2 against Sweden in the first set, the break came at 4-2 after a couple of killer comebacks. However, 4-2 and 30-0 were followed by eight consecutive Croatian points and drew 4-4. At 5-5 comes another break for Croatia. A long game follows with the possibility of a first break for Ymers, but the Croatians seize the opportunity directly at the set point and 7-5 after the first set.
In the second set, the Croatians broke at 2-1 and brought 3-1 and close to rest at 4-1. However, Elias held his serve, just like he did throughout the game. At 3-2, a long and fun match ensued in which the Ymer brothers shot 15-40 ahead and shattered chances and then the game and chances wavered back and forth – with a great return play by Mikael – but the Croatians took the game the end and 4-2. Sweden won the next game after a couple of good lobs. However, Sweden didn’t get any closer than that, but the Croatians won the next two games and the match 7-5, 6-3.
– That’s three high-quality games, I’d say. I think the Croatian team is definitely a very good team. At the same time, I am very happy with my boys. They did a great job. We were close, but Croatia won, so congratulations to them, says DC captain Johan Hedsberg.
Sunday awaits Italy at home. The hope of a quarter-final is alive.
– Anything can happen on Sundays. They are sports. We will go to give our all against Italy and see what happens, says Elias Ymer.
– Italy has a fantastic team. They have a couple of extremely good single players, as we know. The doubles team beat Croatia. They are really good. I would say that the Italian team is one of the favorites for the final victory. Obviously it will be tough for us. We will try. This is the only thing I can say, says Johan Hedsberg.
The Sweden team
Mikael Ymer, Elias Ymer, Dragos Madaras, Jonathan Mridha and André Göransson. Captain: Johan Hedsberg
The matches of the group of Sweden
Tuesday 13 September: Argentina – Sweden 1-2
Wednesday 14 September: Croatia 0-3 Italy
Thursday 15th September: Croatia – Sweden 2-1
Friday 16 September: Italy – Argentina
Saturday 17 September: Croatia – Argentina
Sunday 18 September: Italy – Sweden
All matches start at 3pm
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