Doubles win keeps French hopes alive at Davis Cup final

Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert kept French hopes alive in the Davis Cup final with a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3) win over Croatia's Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic in the doubles on Saturday.

Croatia, chasing its first Davis Cup title since 2005, headed into the second day of the final with a 2-0 lead over the defending champions after its singles players Marin Cilic and Borna Coric outplayed Jeremy Chardy and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, respectively, in straight sets and without conceding a single break of serve on the opening day.

On the indoor clay court installed at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in northern France, the script changed dramatically during a pulsating doubles match.

France's Nicolas Mahut, right, and Pierre Hughes Herbert celebrate after scoring a point during the Davis Cup final between France and Croatia, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Lille, northern France. Croatia is within one point of a second Davis Cup title after Borna Coric and Marin Cilic dispatched their French rivals in the opening singles matches of the final to take a 2-0 lead. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

Dodig and Pavic had only a few chances in the first two sets. Herbert played aggressively and Mahut raised his game on important points, hitting a service winner in the fourth game of the opening set to deny Croatia's sole break chance in that set.

The Croatian pair gradually found its rhythm and made the most of Herbert's sudden dip of level on serve to force a fourth set. Pavic saved three match points with consecutive big serves in the 10th game but the hosts played solid tennis in the tiebreaker to prevail.

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Mate Pavic of Croatia, bottom, returns the ball to France's Nicolas Mahut, right, and Pierre Hughes Herbert during the Davis Cup final between France and Croatia, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Lille, northern France. Croatia is within one point of a second Davis Cup title after Borna Coric and Marin Cilic dispatched their French rivals in the opening singles matches of the final to take a 2-0 lead. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

France's team captain Yannick Noah clenches his fist during the Davis Cup final between France and Croatia, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Lille, northern France. Croatia is within one point of a second Davis Cup title after Borna Coric and Marin Cilic dispatched their French rivals in the opening singles matches of the final to take a 2-0 lead. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

Croatia's Ivan Dodig, left, and Mate Pavic talk during the Davis Cup final between France and Croatia, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Lille, northern France. Croatia is within one point of a second Davis Cup title after Borna Coric and Marin Cilic dispatched their French rivals in the opening singles matches of the final to take a 2-0 lead. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

France's Nicolas Mahut, right, and Pierre Hughes Herbert return the ball to Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic of Croatia during the Davis Cup final between France and Croatia, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Lille, northern France. Croatia is within one point of a second Davis Cup title after Borna Coric and Marin Cilic dispatched their French rivals in the opening singles matches of the final to take a 2-0 lead. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

Croatia's Ivan Dodig, left, and Mate Pavic in their Davis Cup final between France and Croatia, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Lille, northern France. Croatia is within one point of a second Davis Cup title after Borna Coric and Marin Cilic dispatched their French rivals in the opening singles matches of the final to take a 2-0 lead. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

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Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)