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Croatia wins Davis Cup for the first time
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-05 09:19
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Croatia won its first Davis Cup title Sunday, with
Mario Ancic beating Michal Mertinak of Slovakia 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-4 in the
decisive fifth match.
Dominik Hrbaty had pulled Slovakia even at 2-2 by
defeating an ailing Ivan Ljubicic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Ancic then downed
Mertinak to clinch the best-of-five series between two first-time finalists.
"I felt everything was under my control," Ancic said. "It's an unforgettable
match and an unforgettable day. This has been a spectacular year for me."
Croatia's Nikki Pilic became the first captain to win the trophy for
different nations. He led Germany to Davis Cup titles in 1988, 1989 and 1993.
"There is no comparison," Pilic said at the victory ceremony. "Today I won
with my people."
Croatia became the 12th champion in the competition's 105-year history. This
was Croatia's biggest team success since the country became independent in 1991
during the violent break-up of Yugoslavia. The soccer team's third-place finish
at the 1998 World Cup had been considered Croatia's sports highlight.
"I am not sure people realize how big it is to be at the top of the pyramid,"
Ancic said.
Goran Ivanisevic, who came out of retirement for the final, added the Davis
Cup championship to his 2001 Wimbledon title. He wasn't selected to play singles
or doubles but was a member of the four-man squad.
Ivanisevic's Wimbledon title and Janica Kostelic's four Olympic medals,
including three gold, at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, remain the country's
top individual sports achievements.
Ivanisevic has been the mentor of Ancic, who had never won a match that
counted this year in Davis Cup �� but he took the biggest one of all. Ranked No.
22, he overwhelmed the 165th-ranked Mertinak, who has played mostly challenger
events all year and who is primarily a doubles specialist.
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