(In Pictures) Marin Cilic Blasts Chair Umpire for Allegedly Showing the Wrong Mark Against Corentin Moutet in Davis Cup

Marin Cilic has lost to Corentin Moutet in the Davis Cup in a tense 7-5, 6-4 win.

(In Pictures) Marin Cilic Blasts Chair Umpire for Allegedly Showing the Wrong Mark Against Corentin Moutet in Davis Cup

Marin Cilic took it out on the chair umpire (via Univers Tennis)

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The Davis Cup has brought back home and away matches. With it came the return of intense and lively atmospheres. The clash between Croatia and France in Osijek on Saturday showed exactly that.

Marin Cilic carried the pressure of keeping his team alive in the tie. At a crucial stage, frustration got the better of him. He shouted at the chair umpire after a disputed call. That decision handed Corentin Moutet three break points early in the second set.

The match grew tense as both sides fought hard. Every point felt heavier than the last. The crowd added even more intensity with its energy. The emotions on court mirrored the noise around it. In the end, France found the edge they needed. Despite the passion from the home fans, they held strong. The French players secured the victory. The deciding moments went their way in Croatia.

Corentin Moutet prevails in a tense Davis Cup encounter

Corentin Moutet faced more than just Marin Cilic in Osijek. The Frenchman also had to handle a vocal Croatian crowd that rallied behind their home star. Every point carried tension as fans made their displeasure known after a disputed call went against Cilic.

Corentin Moutet
Corentin Moutet (image via L’Equipe)

Moutet had already made a successful Davis Cup debut the day before, beating young talent Dino Prizmic in three sets. His next challenge came on Saturday in the reverse singles, with a chance to secure France’s first trip to the Davis Cup Finals since 2019. Croatia had narrowed the gap earlier when Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic claimed the doubles rubber.

The match quickly turned dramatic. After losing serve in the second set on a controversial line call, Cilic erupted in protest. The sports hall buzzed with jeers, and heated exchanges followed between players, officials, and team captains. Twice, Cilic fought back from a break down, determined to keep Croatia alive.

But Moutet held his nerve. At 4-3 in the second set, he saved three crucial break points before closing out the contest. With three straight games, he sealed a 7-5, 6-4 win in just under two and a half hours. His victory sent France into the Davis Cup Finals and silenced the home crowd.

France close in on Davis Cup last 8

France took a strong step toward the Davis Cup Final 8 after gaining a 2-0 lead over Croatia. On the opening day of qualifiers, Argentina, Austria, and Germany also positioned themselves well for a place in Bologna. Each of them delivered convincing wins in their first matches on Friday.

Corentin Moutet
Corentin Moutet (image via MAXPPP)

In Osijek, debutant Corentin Moutet gave France the lead by defeating home player Dino Prizmic in three sets. Arthur Rinderknech followed up with another win, beating 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic in straight sets. France now needs just one more victory from the remaining three rubbers to advance.

Elsewhere, Argentina took control in Groningen by winning both singles matches against the Netherlands. Tomas Etcheverry overcame Jesper De Jong, while Francisco Cerundolo beat Botic van de Zandschulp. Austria also impressed, with Jurij Rodionov and Lukas Neumayer pulling off close victories against Hungary’s higher-ranked players.

Germany made progress in Tokyo as Jan-Lennard Struff edged Yoshihito Nishioka in three sets. His teammate Yannick Hanfmann then secured a second win over Shintaro Mochizuki. In Delray Beach, Taylor Fritz leveled the tie for the United States by defeating Jakub Mensik, after Jiri Lehecka had given the Czech Republic an early lead. Other ties, including Spain versus Denmark and Australia versus Belgium, were set to begin on Saturday. Italy, as host, already holds a guaranteed spot in the Final 8.

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