Croatian
Ivan Ljubicic made quick work of
Andrei Pavel 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday in the opening singles to put Croatia in its first-ever Davis Cup semifinal.
"I sensed early that Pavel was slow, took the advantage of the only break in the first set," Ljubicic said. "The key to the match was the second set, when I got back from 0-3."
Mario Ancic avenged his earlier singles loss, defeating Victor Hanescu 7-6(3), 7-6(8) in the dead rubber.
Croatia will again use the home court to its advantage in September when it hosts Russia.
