Juan Martin del Potro beat veteran Ivo Karlovic in a tense four sets to draw Argentina back level at 1-1 against Croatia in the Davis Cup final on Friday.
Croatia had taken an early lead when their top player Marin Cilic battled back from a mid-match collapse to beat Federico Delbonis 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 1-6, 6-2 in the opening rubber at the Zagreb Arena.
But Del Potro left the final all square when he despatched 37-year-old Karlovic 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 7-5.
It was a fine performance from the Olympic silver medallist, who had secured Argentina’s appearance in their fifth final when seeing off Andy Murray -- his Rio conqueror -- in an epic five-setter against the defending champions Great Britain in the semi-final in Glasgow.
Del Potro, 28, is a veteran of two losing finals -- both against Spain in 2008 and 2011 -- while Karlovic is the oldest player to feature in a Davis Cup singles match since 43-year-old Australian Norman Brookes in 1920.