Davis Cup embraces fifth-set tiebreaker

A year after the Davis Cup changed its format to end fifth sets in a tiebreaker, the World Group finally saw its first final set breaker on Friday. It didn’t take long to see its second and third either, all coming within an hour as opening round ties got underway.

The surprising part was that in victory, none of the winning players won more points than their opponents. Steve Darcis, a veteran for 2015 finalist Belgium, had his back against the wall facing Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber. Darcis was down two sets to one and then survived both fourth and fifth set tiebreakers to become the first World Group player to win an unextended deciding set, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(2), 7-6(5), despite Kohlschreiber winning 10 more points.

He was followed closely by Franko Skugor from last year’s runner-up, Croatia. Skugor is ranked 197 places lower than his Spanish opponent, Pablo Carreno Busta, in the rankings.

The 29-year-old Croatian managed to hang on in a final set tiebreaker, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6) despite winning three fewer points in the match.

The last blockbuster finale of the Davis Cup World Group’s opening day came in Serbia. Viktor Troicki fended off up-and-coming Russian Karen Khachanov, even though he lost one more point in his 6-4, 6(3)-7, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(6) victory.

Serbia would go on to win the rubber 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals, while Croatia and Belgium are still battling on Day Three.

Previously, matches could have theoretically gone on and on until a player won by two games in the fifth set. Less than two years ago, Leonardo Mayer defeated Joao Souza in the longest Davis Cup singles match in history. It took him six hours and 42 minutes to overcome the Brazilian, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 5-7, 5-7, 15-13.

More fifth set tiebreakers followed during the weekend, including Argentina's doubles win to stay in the rubber with Italy.

The addition of a fifth set tiebreaker is not the first major change to the competition in its history. Prior to 1972, the champions did not have to play throughout the year, instead they just showed up for the Challenge Round to defend the title.

Ever since the format change, 16 nations have traveled throughout the world yearlong seeking four wins to reach the top of the tournament’s mountain—and now even if it comes down to a deciding final set tiebreaker for all the glory.