Australia come from behind to beat Croatia in Davis Cup semi-final

Australia reached the final of the Davis Cup for the first time in 19 years after recovering from a 1-0 deficit to beat Croatia 2-1 in Friday's semi-final.

The tie was delicately poised at one match apiece following Borna Coric's straight sets win over Thanasi Kokkinakis before Alex de Minaur claimed an emphatic victory over Marin Cilic.

In the deciding doubles rubber, Australia's Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell faced a stern test against Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic, but the pair came back from a set down to send Australia through.

Kokkinakis lost 6-4 6-3 to Coric in one hour and 32 minutes in the day's opening battle, despite posting 11 aces compared to the Croatian's five in an early setback for Australia.

However, De Minaur was in ruthless form against Cilic to beat the former world number three - who hit 10 double faults - 6-2 6-2 in one hour and 34 minutes, leaving it all to play for in the doubles.

A tense first-set tiebreaker went the way of Pavic and Mektic, but the Australians fought back valiantly to post a 6-7[3] 7-5 6-4 win and seal a spot in the final.

The 28-time champions - who have not won a Davis Cup title since 2003 - will now face the winner of Italy's semi-final showdown with Canada in Malaga on Saturday.