Ljubicic Saves Davis Cup Tie at 1-1 Versus Romania

Ivan Ljubicic picked up for the faltering Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic Friday in Croatia's Davis Cup home tie versus Romania, rolling past Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(3) to even things at 1-1 after day one.

In the opening singles, Romanian stalwart Andrei Pavel outlasted Ancic in a 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 thriller lasting 3 hours and 40 minutes. Ancic delivered 31 aces to Pavel's six, but the Romanian was steadier from the baseline and proved his passing shots were a match for the Croatian's net-crushing game.

"I'm sorry is Mario. He played a great match, but few points here and there made the difference," Ljubicic said. "Maybe he wanted it too much."

Ancic led 6-1, 4-1 before again cementing his reputation as a player that cannot win the big matches.

Romanian captain Adrian Marcu said he would not unveil his doubles line-up until Saturday, but whoever the captain picks will be underdogs against the explosive team of Ancic-Ljubicic, who in their last Davis Cup outing beat the American Bryan brothers.