
Australia qualified for their first Davis Cup final since 2003 after a 2-1 win over Croatia.
Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson beat Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 6-4 in the semi-final in Malaga on Friday.
Earlier, Australian Alex de Minaur canceled out Borna Coric’s opening win with a 6-2 6-2 win over Marin Cilic to equalise.
Australia will face either Italy or Canada in Sunday’s final.
Croatia have taken a 1-0 lead in the last four encounters when Coric beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4 6-3.
The 26-year-old Croatian, who hit 19 winners and committed just nine unforced errors, saved his career in 2022 and moved up to 26th in the world rankings, having not played for 12 months after undergoing surgery on the right shoulder.
“I used to watch guys play in the Davis Cup when I was injured and doing my rehabilitation. Playing for Croatia is an incredible feeling for me,” Coric said.
But Australia fought back when world number 24 De Minaur stunned former US Open champion Cilic with a straight-sets win in just 44 minutes.
Cilic, ranked 17th in the world, was defeated by 23 unforced errors.
“Marin is one hell of a competitor, a veteran player in our sport who has achieved incredible things.” said De Minaur.
“I knew what to expect, so I knew it was never going to be easy.”
With the tie finely balanced at 1-1, Purcell and Thompson – who were brought in minutes before the game by captain Lleyton Hewitt in replacement of Matthew Ebden – battled from a set to break in the second, then held serve to force a decisive third set.
The pair broke for a 4-3 lead and then held serve to deny Croatia a second straight final – and put Australia in their first since lifting the trophy for the 28th time when they defeated Spain.