Davis Cup 2017: Croatia 2-3 Spain

(image: Davis Cup / Twitter)

Spain have fought back from 2-1 down to beat an under-strength Croatia 3-2 in the Davis Cup World Group first round match in Osijek on Sunday.

Franko Škugor gave Croatia the perfect start to the tie when he beat World No.26 Pablo Carreno Busta on Friday 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6).

Franko Škugor (image: Davis Cup / Twitter)

Spain levelled the tie later the day when Roberto Bautista Agut easily beat Ante Pavić in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

Croatia then took the advantage in the tie when doubles pairing Marin Draganja and Nikola Mektić upset Spain’s Feliciano Lopez and Marco Lopez 6-7 (6), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4.

Marin Draganja and Nikola Mektić (image: Davis Cup / Twitter)

Despite battling well, Škugor was unable to cause another upset against Bautista Agut and went down in four sets 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Mektić, who is ranked outside the top 300, faced the highly fancied Busta in the deciding rubber and there was to be no shock for the Spanish fans who had turned up with their man winning in straight sets to send Spain through to the Quarterfinals.

Croatia were missing its top players Marin Čilić, Ivo Karlović, Borna Ćorić and Ivan Dodig. Spain were without Rafael Nadal.