Davis Cup World Group Semifinals: Croatia, Slovaks to Meet in FinalPosted on September 26, 2005 Croatia d. Russia 3-2
Ivan Ljubicic put Croatia in its first-ever Davis Cup final Sunday, defeating Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-4. Croatia will face the Slovak Republic in the final after the Slovaks defeated Argentina. "It's going to be very interesting to see what they are going to chose for the surface because obviously for us our less favourite surface is clay, but its not even the favourite for them, so it's going to be very interesting what they do," Ljubicic said. Croatian captain Nikolas Pilic says his team for the final may contain a surprise. "I am telling you now for the first time -- about 10 or 12 days before there will be a one-off match at my tennis academy in Munich between Goran Ivanisevic and Sasa Tuksar and whoever wins that will be the fourth player for the final," Pilic said. "The match will be on a fast Rebound Ace and I think that will help Goran." Slovak Republic d. Argentina 4-1 While many sports teams will shave their heads in solidarity before a sporting match, the four bald-headed Slovaks emerged to greet the press after Dominik Hrbaty had sealed the Slovak Republic's first Davis Cup final berth Sunday with a 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-3 win over Guillermo Coria. Coria served for the first set at 5-4, but Hrbaty's level only continued to rise after breaking back and taking the first set in the tiebreak. "It was the best atmosphere I've ever played in," Hrbaty said. "All the people were cheering for me, and I didn't want to disappoint them. I played really well right up to the last point, and I'm really happy for my teammates and all the people. It's one of the best moments for me and my teammates, and I'll always remember the atmosphere." The Slovaks will now choose their home surface for the December final against Croatia. |
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