Marin Cilic, Ivan Dodig push Croatia to brink of Davis Cup

Zagreb: Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig beat Argentine pair Juan Martin del Potro and Leonardo Mayer 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4, 6-3 in Saturday`s doubles to put Croatia 2-1 up in the Davis Cup final.
Former US Open champion Cilic gave Croatia the upper hand by winning Friday`s opening singles rubber against Federico Delbonis before Del Potro levelled for Argentina with a four-set win over Ivo Karlovic.

Both Cilic and Del Potro were drafted in for Saturday`s doubles with the former teaming up with Dodig to claim the first two sets in a tie-break before wrapping up victory after Mayer dropped serve at 3-2 down in the third.

Olympic silver medallist Del Potro, who has bounced back after two injury-ravaged seasons, must beat sixth-ranked Cilic in Sunday`s reverse singles to keep alive Argentine hopes of a first Davis Cup title.

Karlovic and Delbonis would then face off in the deciding rubber. 

Croatia defeated Slovakia in 2005 for the country`s only Davis Cup title, while Argentina -- beaten by Spain in both 2008 and 2011 -- have finished runners-up four times.