Bryan’s Return Helps U.S.

Doubles specialist Mike Bryan’s decision to come out of Davis Cup retirement gave the United States a muchneeded lift.

Bryan teamed with Ryan Harrison for the first time and helped the Americans outlast Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic 7-5, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5) over nearly five hours to cut Croatia’s lead to 2-1 in their semifinal on Saturday at Zadar, Croatia.

In Sunday’s reverse singles, sixthranked Marin Cilic faces Steve Johnson, and Borna Coric meets Davis Cup rookie Frances Tiafoe.

The winner on the outdoor clay court along the Dalmatian Coast will meet defending champion France in the Nov. 23-25 final. France beat Spain 3-0 in the other semifinal.

Mike Bryan and twin Bob retired from Davis Cup after the U.S. lost to Croatia in the 2016 quarterfinals. But Mike decided to return while enjoying a stellar season with interim partner Jack Sock.

Bryan and Sock won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. However, Sock hurt his hip during the U.S. Open run and was replaced by Harrison on the U.S. team.

France advances to final: Doubles pair Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut gave France an unassailable 3-0 lead over Spain in their Davis Cup semifinal as the defending champions reached back-to-back finals for the first time since 2002.

The French veterans, both aged 36, defeated Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez 6-0, 6-4, 7-6 (7) on the indoor hard court set up inside the Pierre Mauroy soccer stadium in Lille, France.

France, which won both singles matches Friday, will either face Croatia or the United States in the final.