Bryan Brothers Drop Ball vs Croats at ATP WTC

Posted on May 23, 2006

Croatians "Dr." Ivo Karlovic and Ivan Ljubicic handed Croatia an opening win over the U.S. in round robin play Monday at the ATP World Team Cup, beating the American Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, 6-3, 7-6(5) in the deciding match.

The Bryan brothers led 4-1 in the final set, and also served for the match. Mike Bryan had problems with his shoulder during the match and received treatment from the trainer.

Earlier Ljubicic had put Croatia up 1-0 with a grueling 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(4) win over James Blake before Robby Ginepri evened the tie with a 6-4, 7-6(1) win over the ace-popping Karlovic.

"I possibly played my best match on clay this year," Ljubicic said. "I think I deserved to win. A victory is a victory. I am particularly pleased to have achieved it in clay."
FOLDHERE

The Czech Republic orchestrated an upset over Argentina in the other match on the day, sweeping the singles when Robin Vik shocked the confidence-challenged Gaston Gaudio 7-6(5), 6-3, and Tomas Berdych powered past David Nalbandian 6-4, 6-4. In the dead-rubber doubles the Argentine team of Acasuso/Prieto beat Berdych/Friedl in a third-set match tiebreak.

"I think I have to start again from scratch, that's as bad as I'm playing at present," Gaudio said. "I am very frustrated and simply only bad on the court."

More impressive was the Czech victory without Hamburg runner-up Radek Stepanek, who watched from the sidelines to rest-up for Roland Garros.

Scheduled for Tuesday in Dusseldorf are Argentina vs. Germany featuring Jose Acasuso vs. Alexander Waske and Gaudio vs. Nicolas Kiefer, and the Czech Republic vs. Italy with Berdych vs. Filippo Volandri and Vik vs. Davide Sanguinetti.