Croatia Raises Davis Cup; Haarhuis Wins Senior Masters
Posted on December 5, 2005
Ancic the Hero in Croatian Davis Cup Title
In a strangely anticlimactic finale in the Davis Cup's biggest match of the year, Croatia's Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic overcame his reputable big-match-choking nerves to beat No. 162-ranked Michal Mertinak 7-6(1), 6-3, 6-4 Sunday in the fifth and deciding rubber in Bratislava.
"It was a very nervous start," said Ancic, who felt the pressure in the decider after Slovak Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty upset Ivan Ljubicic in five sets in the first Sunday singles. "Had a lot of breakpoints which I couldn't use. But then I think I really stepped up in the tiebreak. From that moment, I think I was in control of the match."
The Croatian No. 1 Ljubicic and team member Goran Ivanisevic could only watch what in the first set of the fifth rubber was a tight affair, but turned into a straight-setter after Ancic exploited the weaponless game of Mertinak, a utility doubles player who has never been ranked inside the Top 100 and played the majority of 2005 at the challenger level.
"I would like to say that I'm probably the happiest loser in the world today," said Ljubicic, who played the opening match Sunday even though he woke up with a stiff neck, and vomited during a toilet break after the second set due to pain pills he was taking. "It was probably the most difficult decision of my career. I took a chance, I decided to try and I think it wasn't bad actually. It was really a difficult match for me because I wasn't able to play my tennis, but...he didn't give me anything. He played unbelievable. Even if I was fit, it would have been a difficult match."
Mertinak was forced into the pressure fifth rubber since Slovak No. 2 Karol Beck was out with a knee injury, and the semi-retired Karol Kucera lacked match play.
"Of course, I felt the pressure," Mertinak said. "I was a little bit shaky at the beginning, but then I cooled down. I tried to do my best. Unfortunately, it didn't work the right way today."
It was the first Davis Cup title for Croatia in their first appearance in the final.
Haarhuis Shocks Courier for Senior Masters Title
Paul Haarhuis, who had never beaten Jim Courier in four meetings during their time on the ATP Tour, surprised the defending champion 6-3, 7-6(2) to claim the title Sunday at the year-end senior year-end Masters in London.
The Dutchman, who never cracked the Top 15 during his time on the tour, beat three other grand slam champions during the week in Pat Cash, Thomas Muster and Sergi Bruguera to reach the final.
"I was just hoping to stay with him but I was winning my points so I was feeling good," Haarhuis said.
Courier looked flat on his serve the day after defeating perennial senior tour promoter John McEnroe in straight sets.
"Paul played beautifully today, he didn't give me any unforced errors," Courier said. "We played a couple of times this year and I knew he was playing really well. I didn't quite have the pop on the serve today and he was so sharp."
Goran Ivanisevic, who missed the senior year-end championship after he was named to the Davis Cup champion Croatian team, finished the year at No. 1 on the Champions Tour Rankings.
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TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
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