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Tennis
February 8, 2003
ZAGREB, Croatia -- James Blake did just what he was supposed to do as the lone veteran on the U.S. Davis Cup team.
Blake beat Mario Ancic 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) Friday to lift the United States to a 1-all tie with Croatia in the first round.
Ivan Ljubicic gave Croatia the early lead in the best-of-five series, serving 30 aces to defeat Mardy Fish 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 on the quick indoor court.
With Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi skipping Davis Cup and Andy Roddick out with a wrist injury, the 23-year-old Blake is the only experienced member of the American squad.
And his first Davis Cup match came 15 months ago. But with an 8-1 career record in the competition (5-1 in singles), Blake had a mental edge against the 18-year-old Ancic.
"In my first Davis Cup, my stomach was churning," Blake said. "I probably know a little bit what was going through Ancic's mind and I wanted to capitalize. Once I got my confidence I got energized and played about as well as I could there for a while in the second set."
The Americans have won the Davis Cup a record 31 times, but their last title came in 1995. They can take a 2-1 lead today by winning doubles, in which Blake and Fish, both of Tampa, face 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic and Ljubicic.
Ljubicic improved his Davis Cup record to 15-10. He overcame 16 double faults and ended the match on an ace.
"Fortunately for us, it's Mardy Fish," Ljubicic said. "It's not Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras or Roddick or (Jan-Michael) Gambill. With this team, it's easier for us."
Fish was more complimentary of his opponent.
"I've never played anybody with a serve like that," Fish said. "I had no answer for his serve, and that doesn't happen very often, because one of the best parts of my game is my return."
In other Cup matches, defending champion Russia, without 2000 U.S. Open champ Marat Safin, split 1-all with the Czech Republic. France, last year's runner-up, led Romania 2-0.
HINGIS RETIRING?: Martina Hingis gave her clearest indication that she is planning to retire because of ongoing foot problems.
"A return to competition is inconceivable, in the short-term at least. That is certain," the 22-year-old told the French sports newspaper L'Equipe. "Tennis was part of my life for so many years, but now it's finished. And life goes on."
But her manager, Mario Widmer, said it was premature to talk about retirement.
The former No. 1 and winner of five Grand Slam titles had surgery on her right ankle in October 2001 and on her left ankle in May.
GAZ DE FRANCE OPEN: Serena Williams coasted into the semifinals in Paris, beating Janette Husarova 6-3, 6-3 in a match delayed by two spectators. After Williams and Husarova finished warming up, two men carrying rackets made their way on court and acted as if they were about to play. Security guards kicked them out.
"First I thought it was some promotion or something. Then I got a bit nervous," said Williams, who was followed around the world last year by a stalker.
Tournament director Regis Brunet said the men were "clearly jokers" and didn't think they would be turned over to police.