Bryans Upset, US Davis Cup Down 2-1 to Croatia
Posted on March 6, 2005 |
A thrilling second tiebreak that so nearly gave Mike and Bob Bryan their 17th consecutive set in Davis Cup play was prized from their grasp by Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic who sent Croatia into the third day of this World Group tie with an unexpected 2-1 lead over the United States.
The Croats, who went on to win 36 76(8) 64 64, seemed to be heading for a two set deficit when the Bryan twins reached set point for a second time at seven points to six in the that second set breaker. The point was on Mike’s serve and a furious, quick-fire volley exchange ensued before Mike lost control of his volley under intense pressure.
A third set point came and went for the 26-year-old Americans when Ljubicic came up with one of those high kicking serves that had so unnerved Andre Agassi in the singles on Friday. Two points later, Bob served and Ljubicic cracked a superb backhand service return down the line that sent Mike rolling headlong into the alley in a vain attempt to preserve that proud record. But it was gone and so was the match.
When Mike Bryan dropped his opening serve in the third set, it was clear the momentum had switched ends and with Ancic serving better as the match went on and Ljubicic tightening up on his returns, the clinical efficiency of the Croats never allowed their opponents a chance to regain the initiative.
Mike summed it up honestly afterwards when he said, “I think that set point we had in the breaker -- that in our mind was kind of a match point because we’re pretty good front runners; when we get a lead we never look back. So you know, it hurts. It doesn’t feel good to let your team down when we’re staring down the barrel of a two set to love lead.”
Niki Pilic, the Croatian captain, also spotted the tiebreak as the crucial moment of the match. “That tiebreak was very, very important,” he said. “With that tiebreak we really got our game up and the Americans knew that with these two guys, they have good forehand, backhand both sides and big serves. It is not easy to play against.”
The fact that Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi will have to deal with all that fire power in today’s singles is a daunting one for Patrick McEnroe’s team. McEnroe, however, tried a little reverse psychology by suggesting that the Croats will be under more pressure.
“They’re playing away from home, they’re the underdog,” said McEnroe. “They’ve just been going for their shots. Now they can smell it. Sometimes that changes your mood.”
Pilic preferred to stick with mathematics. “What, you think there is not pressure on America? I would say they have to win two matches and we only have to win one.”
Today, the two heavyweights will be out first – Roddick against Ljubicic. For the balding, 25-year-old Croat it would be an amazing achievement to seal the tie for his country because he did just that against the US in Zagreb two years ago, winning all three rubbers. Now he has two more under his belt. He was asked if he was starting to feel invincible against Americans.
“Oh, yeah, I can lose, too,” Ljubicic smiled. “But obviously it’s a beautiful feeling. I mean, to win five in a row, it’s amazing. But it’s still a long way. We need to win three sets, one of us, and it’s not easy.”
But if Roddick can serve well enough and move well enough to snap Ivan’s run, the tennis world will hold its breath as Agassi is put in the hot seat once more, needing to win to save his country from elimination.
After Friday’s disappointment, it will be a tough call for the 34-year-old veteran but McEnroe has no fears. “I think we’ll see a different Andre Agassi,” his captain said. “He can be a little tough on himself, sometimes, I think, unnecessarily. So I think he’s just got to go out there ands do what he does, which is bring his hard hat and go to work.”
One way or the other, a great day’s tennis is in the offing.
From ITF reports.