Blake pulls U.S. level in Croatia

James Blake started strong, going up two sets and 3-0 against Mario Ancic. AP

ZAGREB (Reuters) -- James Blake survived a fit of nerves to beat Mario Ancic 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (5) and bring the U.S. level at 1-1 with Croatia at the end of the first day of their Davis Cup first-round clash.

Ancic saved two match points at 4-5 in the third set and then had the American at 0-40 in the next game, but Blake held on to win on his fourth match point in a tiebreak after one hour and 46 minutes.

Earlier, Ivan Ljubicic produced a serving performance worthy of teammate Goran Ivanisevic to give Croatia the perfect start with a 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Mardy Fish.

Ivanisevic, who is still struggling to overcome an injury to his serving arm, is due to partner Ljubicic against Blake and Fish in Saturday's doubles before the two reverse singles complete the tie on Sunday.

Feeding off a partisan crowd in Dom Sportiva, Ljubicic hammered 30 aces as he battered Fish into submission on the fast indoor surface, facing only one break point on his way to victory in one hour, 58 minutes.

Fish, playing a Davis Cup singles for the first time in the absence of the injured Andy Roddick, saved four break points in the first set before finally buckling under pressure in the 12th game -- his third double fault giving the Croat the advantage.

Ljubicic's confidence grew as he broke in the sixth game of the second set to take command before repeating the feat in the ninth game of the third to seal victory.

"I think I have served better," Ljubicic said afterwards. "I served well, but I usually don't serve that many double faults [16], so I will need to serve better and play better on Sunday if we are to win."

On a court which both players described as fast but fair, Ljubicic dominated most of the match, and it was only his inconsistency from the baseline which allowed Fish to stay within reach.

"I was surprised by his soft play from the baseline," Ljubicic said. "I had thought he would be more aggressive, but he just got it in the court, so I had a lot of options, so I could just go for it."

Go for it he certainly did, and Fish was frequently left exasperated by several second serve aces and several close calls, most of which seemed to go against him.

Fish's one break point came when he led 2-1 in the third set, but Ljubicic saved it with another service winner and went on to break in the ninth game before serving out for victory.

"Ivan was just too good today," Fish admitted. "I have never seen anyone serve like that. It was just too good. I played [Richard] Krajicek earlier this year and I returned better against him, which is a bit weird."

Losing his serve at key times in the sets was crucial to the match, Fish said.

"I was broken at 5-6 in the first set and 4-4 in the third. The best players in the world, at times like those, they rise to the challenge, and that's something I've got to see if I can do."

Despite the result, Fish said he enjoyed his first taste of Davis Cup singles.

"Patrick [McEnroe, the U.S. captain] told me to just go out and enjoy it, and even though I got my butt kicked, I really did," Fish said.

"It was a lot of fun and even though it's disappointing not to win for your teammates and your country, I'll be ready to go out there again and see what I can do."

 

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