Intro:

Viktor Troicki battled back from two sets down to beat Borna Coric and give Serbia a 2-0 lead, after the opening singles rubbers in their ITF Davis Cup World Group first round tie against Croatia in Kraljevo on Friday (6th March).

Script:

It was up to Viktor Troicki to keep the home momentum going when he faced teenage prospect Borna Coric in the second match.

Coric in Serbia's Davis Cup World Cup first round encounter with Croatia.

Coric, who had already beaten Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray this year, was seen as Croatia's big hope in the absence of injured US Open champion Marin Cilic and the 18 year-old recovered from a slow start to take the first set 6-4 and then the second 6-1.

Troicki looked like he was going to be rolled over, especially after dropping his serve again in the opening game of the third set.

However, the 29 year-old Serb, who won the second ATP level title of his career in Sydney in January, broke back.

Troicki took the third set 6-3 and made another crucial break in the fifth game of the fourth.

Coric wilted under the pressure and Troicki raced to a 4-0 lead in the decider.

There was no stopping Troicki and after three hours and three minutes Serbia had a 2-0 lead after Coric put a tired backhand into the net.

The final score was 4-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

Troicki returns to action on Saturday, where he'll team up with Nenad Zimonjic for the doubles against Marin Draganja and Franko Skugor.

If the home nation wins that match, they will have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five tie.