Cilic gives Croatia 1-0 lead over Belgium in Davis Cup

LIEGE, Belgium (AP) Belgium leveled the Davis Cup first-round tie with Croatia at 1-1 after David Goffin defeated Borna Coric in five sets on Friday.

The 19-year-old Coric recovered from a two-set deficit to force a decider but lost as 16th-ranked Goffin put last year's runner-up Belgium back on track with a 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory.

Former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic earlier gave Croatia a 1-0 lead with a 7-5, 6-3, 7-5 win over Kimmer Coppejans.

The 122th-ranked Coppejans offered strong resistance in the first set but could not hold onto a 5-2 lead. He served for the set at 5-4 in the opener, and led 4-2 in the third set but Cilic, who hit 16 aces, used his greater experience to prevail on the red clay of the Country Hall.

Belgium reached its first final in 111 years last year, losing to Britain.

Croatia and Belgium have met once before, with the Croatians winning back in 2004.

Arthur de Greef is expected to make his Davis Cup debut for Belgium on Saturday, playing with Ruben Bemelmans in the doubles against Ivan Dodig and Franko Skugor.

Goffin will play against Cilic, winner of the 2014 U.S. Open, and Coppejans is set to face Coric in Sunday's reverse singles.