Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig have once again notched a critical Davis Cup doubles point against a top-line opponent. Cilic and Dodig knocked off world No. 1s Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 7-6(6), 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3, to give Croatia a 2-1 lead over France on Saturday in Zadar.

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Cilic and Dodig, who knocked off the Bryan Brothers this July to spearhead Croatia’s comeback from 0-2 down in Portland, survived a nip-and-tuck contest, winning tight tiebreaks in sets one and three before closing out the victory in four.

In a roller coaster third set, the French duo saved two set points before earning a set point of their own in the tiebreaker, but Dodig came through with several clutch shots to help Croatia take the final three points and a two sets to one lead.

In the fourth set the Croatian duo broke Mahut in the third game for a 2-1 lead, then broke Herbert at love to clinch the victory at the three-hour and 47-minute mark.

Croatia is bidding to reach the final for the first time since 2005, when they won the title. France has not been to the Davis Cup final in two of the last six years, but has not won the title since 2001.

Cilic will face Richard Gasquet in Sunday’s first reverse doubles rubber, with Borna Coric slated to meet Lucas Pouille if Gasquet can keep France alive.