2016's year for sporting underdog triumphs has continued as Argentina won their first Davis Cup title.
Led by Juan Martin del Potro, the South Americans won the final rubber of a pulsating final, to defeat Croatia 3-2 in Zagreb. Del Potro and team mate Federico Delbonis won the final two matches, to win the tie 3-2.
The Davis Cup win caps a memorable year from del Potro, as he continues to force his way back up the World Rankings after suffering from wrist injuries.
He won silver in the Olympics and returned to Grand Slam tennis at Wimbledon after missing nine consecutive majors through injury. He also reached the quarter-finals of the US Open.
Going into the final day of matches, trailing 2-1, del Potro beat former US Open champion Marin Cilic in five sets to level the final, 2-2. Delbonis ten defeated Ivo Karlovic in straight sets to help Argentina to their first Davis Cup final.
The win is a first for a South American country, and follows Argentina's four successive losses in Davis Cup finals. Their most recent defeat came in 2011 when they lost to Spain in Seville.
Here is how the ambition of a nation to win #DavisCup finally came true! Federico Delbonis clinches match point in the 2016 #DavisCupFinal! pic.twitter.com/8R03XA5wFN
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 27, 2016
Argentina's win also follows a recent trend in Davis Cups, where the away team wins the final. The last team to win the Davis Cup at home was the 2012 Czech Republic team, who defeated Spain in Prague.
Daniel Orsanic saw his side clutch victory from the jaws of defeat! Here are his thoughts on today's play at the #DavisCupFinal pic.twitter.com/jZAuTtsipW
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 27, 2016
