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(E) Croatia leads U.S. 2-1 in Davis Cup
http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8135/1/E-Croatia-leads-US-2-1-in-Davis-Cup.html
By Nenad N. Bach
Published on 02/8/2003
 
Distributed by CroatianWorld

 

Croatia Leads USA 2:1 in Davis Cup

 

    ZAGREB Feb 8 (Reuters) - Goran Ivanisevic andIvan Ljubicic produced a stunning comeback from two sets down to squeeze pastJames Blake and Mardy Fish 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 and give Croatia a 2-1 leadover the United States in the first-round tie on Saturday.

    After being thoroughly outplayed for the first two sets, Ivanisevic, weakenedby an arm injury and playing his first top-level match since shoulder surgerylast May, somehow lifted his game and the Croatian pair snatched the third seton a tiebreak, winning it 7-5.

    Roared on by an intimidating crowd in Hall Dom Sportiva, Ivanisevic andLjubicic broke the Fish serve to love at the start of the fourth set andmaintained the advantage to level at two sets apiece after more than two and ahalf hours of intense play.

    The deciding set with serve until the ninth game, when Blake was unable tomake a low volley from Ivanisevic's attempted pass. Ljubicic then served out togive a jubilant Croatia team an incredible victory.

 

Ljubicic will meet Blake in the first of the reverse singles on Sunday, while18-year-old Mario Ancic is scheduled to play Fish in the final match of the tie.

 

 


(E) Croatia leads U.S. 2-1 in Davis Cup
Distributed by CroatianWorld

 

Croatia Leads USA 2:1 in Davis Cup

 

    ZAGREB Feb 8 (Reuters) - Goran Ivanisevic andIvan Ljubicic produced a stunning comeback from two sets down to squeeze pastJames Blake and Mardy Fish 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 and give Croatia a 2-1 leadover the United States in the first-round tie on Saturday.

    After being thoroughly outplayed for the first two sets, Ivanisevic, weakenedby an arm injury and playing his first top-level match since shoulder surgerylast May, somehow lifted his game and the Croatian pair snatched the third seton a tiebreak, winning it 7-5.

    Roared on by an intimidating crowd in Hall Dom Sportiva, Ivanisevic andLjubicic broke the Fish serve to love at the start of the fourth set andmaintained the advantage to level at two sets apiece after more than two and ahalf hours of intense play.

    The deciding set with serve until the ninth game, when Blake was unable tomake a low volley from Ivanisevic's attempted pass. Ljubicic then served out togive a jubilant Croatia team an incredible victory.

 

Ljubicic will meet Blake in the first of the reverse singles on Sunday, while18-year-old Mario Ancic is scheduled to play Fish in the final match of the tie.