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Lucija Ciric Bagaric: Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez came up clutch when it mattered most Saturday as they teamed up to prevail over Croatia 2-1 in a Group A encounter in the United Cup here. In a winner-takes-all mixed doubles rubber, the Canadians defeated Ivan Dodig and Lucija Ciric Bagaric 6-3, 6-4 to seal a 2-1 triumph over Croatia. Auger-Aliassime and Fernandez were clinical throughout the 66-minute contest, during which they did not face a break point.

Borna Coric had earlier rallied from the brink of defeat against Auger-Aliassime to keep Croatia alive and send the tie to a live decider. After losing the opening eight games of the match, the 28-year-old dug deep for an epic 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph, during which he won seven consecutive games of his own.

Auger-Aliassime had not competed since October through injury, but won 78 percent (25/32) of points in a near-flawless first set, according to Infosys ATP Stats. The former No. 6 in the ATP Rankings then had one foot in the locker room at 4-2 in the second set but blazed a mid-court forehand long at 15/30 on Coric’s serve. It turned out to be a pivotal moment, with Coric finding the energy to turn the match on its head.