Juan Marin del Potro has levelled the Davis Cup final in sensational fashion, coming from two sets down to defeat Marin Cilic and send the tie between Croatia and Argentina into a deciding singles rubber.

Del Potro finished over the top of Cilic in a battle of US Open champions to extend the tie with a 6-7 (7-4) 2-6 7-5 6-4 6-3 victory.

Croatia, the 2005 winners, were one set away from claiming their second Davis Cup but del Potro dug deep to keep alive Argentina’s bid to win their maiden title after losing all four finals they have taken part in.

Cilic appeared poised to finish the job and delight the passionate local fans after rifling 23 winners and 18 aces in the opening two sets.

Del Potro, who played singles on the opening day and took part in Saturday’s doubles looked fatigues at the start of the fifth set but recovered from a break down to close out the match in four hours and 53 minutes.

It is expected that Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic and Argentina’s Federico Delbonis will play the deciding singles match.