Battling Australia storm into Davis Cup final

28-times winners Australia outclassed Croatia 2-1 in the Spanish city of Malaga to reach their first Davis Cup final in 19 years on Friday.

1️⃣9️⃣ YEARS LATER!

Australia defeat Croatia 2-1 to book their place in the Final for the first time since 2003 👏#DavisCup #byRakuten | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/bBhMiHOv9A

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 25, 2022

Lleyton Hewitt’s team lost the first singles but recovered in style with the doubles pair battling back from a set down in the decider.

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Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson clinched the winning point with a 6-7(3) 7-5 6-4 win over Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic in a clash that was nearly a rematch of the Wimbledon doubles final until a late player switch.

“I am so proud. Australia has a really rich history in this competition,” said Hewitt, who played a record 43 Davis Cup ties for Australia from 1999 to 2018.

“We have been fortunate to win it all on a number of occasions a long time ago. And I know what it meant to me as a player to play a final, and I am glad these guys can play it.”

Borna Coric put Croatia 1-0 up by defeating Thanasi Kokkinakis, who struck 11 aces, 6-4, 6-3, but Alex De Minaur leveled after beating Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-2 to send it to the doubles.

“This is what this team is about, that never-say-die attitude,” De Minaur said.

Canada will face Italy on Saturday in the other semifinal.