Croatian tennis player Marin Cilic has defeated France's Lucas Pouille 7 - 6 (7 - 3), 6 - 3, 6 - 3 to secure his country's second Davis Cup title.
Cilic delivered the final blow to dethrone defending champion France 3 - 1 in the final on Sunday, held at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in the northern French city of Lille, Efe news reported.
"It's not every day that you become a world champion!"
Cilic said after two hour and 19 minutes of play.
"For us, it's a dream come true, for this nation, we are so passionate, " he added.
"You can see the fans, they are enjoying themselves, and I feel that in Croatia it is going to be incredible too. "
Croatia won the 2005 final against Slovakia, and Cilic had been a part of the team that finished runner - up to Argentina in 2016.
The Davis Cup format is set to change next year from a year - long event to something more akin to a "World Cup of tennis, " a move that was approved by the International Tennis Federation in August.
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