Davis Cup: Croatia cuts US lead to 2-1 with doubles win

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Ivan Dodig and Marin Cilic kept Croatia alive in the Davis Cup quarterfinal match with the United States, beating twins Bob and Mike Bryan 6-2, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday.

The Dodig-Cilic cut Croatia's deficit to 2-1 heading into the reverse single Sunday on the Tualatin Hills hard court. The United States took a 2-0 lead Friday when Jack Sock and John Isner won the opening singles matches.

On Sunday, Isner will open against Cilic, and Sock will face Borna Coric.

The U.S.-Croatia winner will advance to the World Group semifinals, facing the France-Czech Republic quarterfinal winner Sept. 16-18. If the United States advances, it will play host to the semifinals at a site to be determined.

The United States is seeking its first semifinals appearance since 2012, Croatia since 2009.

The Croatians made a last-minute substitution, inserting Cilic, ranked No. 12 in the world, in place of Marin Draganja in doubles.

The move proved useful as the 6-foot-6 Cilic was handy with serves and returns throughout the match. Croatia broke the 38-year-old Bryan twins twice during the first set, and three times in the third.

Cilic and Dodig broke the Bryans early in the fourth set, an edge they were able to ride until the end. It was a rare loss for the Bryans, whose Davis Cup record while teaming in doubles is 24-5.

The United States is trying to break a nine-year Davis Cup title drought. The U.S. won in 2007 when it beat Russia 4-1 in Portland. Croatia claimed its only Davis Cup title in 2005. The U.S. has won a Davis Cup-high 32 titles, but only one since 1995.