Davis Cup: Seppi pulls Italy even with Croatia

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TURIN, Italy -- Italy tied Croatia 1-1 in the first round of the Davis Cup on Friday after Andreas Seppi beat Ivan Dodig 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4.

In the opening singles on red clay, Marin Cilic of Croatia rallied past Paolo Lorenzi 6-1, 6-7 (6), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in 3 hours, 43 minutes. Lorenzi was a late replacement for flu-ridden Fabio Fognini.

Saturday's doubles in the best-of-five series pits Italy's Simone Bolelli and Lorenzi against Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic.

Seppi is ranked a career-high No. 18 after reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Italy is looking to win its first World Group series since 1998, when it finished runner-up. Croatia won the Davis Cup in 2005. The winner faces Spain or Canada in the quarterfinals.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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