Roddick Levels U.S. 1-1 with Croatia

When Croatia won the first four sets of this first round World Group tie at The Home Depot Center under blustery California skies, there was nothing left for Andy Roddick to do but buckle down, handle the wind and figure out a way of beating a seemingly inspired Mario Ancic.

With typical grit and verve, Roddick did just that, emerging from a duel that finished under the lights with a 46 62 61 64 victory that leveled the tie at 1-1 after Andre Agassi’s much heralded return to Davis Cup play had ended in acute disappointment.

Fussed by the wind and perplexed by the amount of spin and kick Ivan Ljubicic was able to generate on his serve, Agassi went down 63 76 63 in the first match he had played for the United States in four years.

Honest to the core, Agassi called it a “a painful performance.” Admitting it was one of those days when he never got comfortable and never settled, the 34-year-old recalled the moment he served for the second at 5-3. “I played a very mediocre game there,” he said. “I think it’s possible I could have relaxed a little bit more had I just served out the set.”

It was a triumph for Ljubicic who had won all three of his rubbers when Croatia beat the United States in 2003. Having reached three finals on the ATP circuit already this year, Ljubicic’s confidence was high and it showed. “I played great match,” he said and it was no boast. Calm and focused, he never allowed his standard to drop and made far fewer unforced errors than his illustrious opponent.

When Ancic raced away to a first set lead, the alarm bells started ringing in the American camp but, in the end, Patrick McEnroe, the US captain, was understandably delighted by Roddick’s sterling performance. “Andy was a little over-excited to begin with but once he settled own he was phenomenally solid,” said McEnroe. “He played the big points well and just did so many things so well.”

Roddick hit some great backhand passes down the line as Ancic tried to attack the net on a hardcourt that was made deliberately slow to suit the Andy’s style. And once Roddick brought the 6,000 crowd to its feet with a lovely drop shot that he followed with a running forehand pass down the line.

Roddick, feeling no pain from a recently injured ankle, was pleased to have turned his match into a physical contest. “I was able to move and win a battle of attrition which was big for me,” he said before paying tribute to Agassi.

“He stuck around to watch my match and congratulated me afterwards,” Roddick said. “Andre’s far too professional to sit around and pout and let it affect us. The whole point of team competition is to pick someone up. I’m going to screw up sometimes and I’m going to be able to help out sometimes. We’re in this together.”

Unlike their opponents, Roddick and Agassi will get a day off as Ljubicic and Ancic attempt to regain Croatia’s lead by cracking the Bryan brothers unbeaten Davis Cup record in doubles. Bob and Mike have played five rubbers and have not yet lost a set. They will need to play exceptionally well to maintain that aura of invincibility against the proud and powerful Croats.

Report from ITF.