Borna Coric put his country in the driving seat after a 6-4, 7-6 victory against Roberto Bautista before veteran Marin Čilić came out on top in a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 thriller over Pablo Carreno.

With Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal not part of the Spain squad, Coric and Čilić helped Croatia to their first win in four attempts at the Davis Cup.

The 2018 champions have Čilić to thank after making a great comeback when he was 1-4 down in the final set tiebreak to silence the home crowd.

"I was serving very, very well," Coric said. 

"I didn't serve this well since probably Cincinnati.

"So obviously it's much easier to play like that.

"I can relax more on the service games when he's serving, because I know most likely I will hold my serve. So that's made a difference.

"I just think in general I was playing very smart.

"When I needed to attack, I did attack.

"When I needed to make a defence, I was defensive.

"I also mixed up the rhythm, as well, which is very important against him.

"I was just very pleased with my game, to be honest."

The two wins meant that the third game between Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic against Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers of Spain was not played.