Croats Pound Chile, v Germany in WTC Final

Posted on May 27, 2006

Defending Davis Cup champs Croatia showed why they are so difficult to beat, even on the road, Friday at the World Team Cup sweeping the clay-loving Chileans 2-0 in the singles to advance to the final where they will face Germany.

Due to rain in Dusseldorf the tie was played indoors at the Ice Stadium, where a record crowd of 7,800 watched Ivan Ljubicic defeat Fernando Gonzalez 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4, and Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic ease past Nicolas Massu 6-3, 6-2.

Gonzalez was 0-8 in converting break points against the big-serving Ljubicic.

In the second tie, the U.S. squad ended on a low note by bringing in their "B"-squad for a loss to Spain, reducing their record on the week to 0-3. Fernando Verdasco beat Bob Bryan 6-1 in the third, David Ferrer straight-setted Robby Ginepri, and the Bryan brothers took the doubles point when Verdasco retired with a thigh injury.

Saturday's lineup for the final between Croatia and Germany is Mario "Baby Goran" Ancic vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber, Ivan Ljubicic vs. Nicolas Kiefer, with the doubles to follow.