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Croatia wins Davis Cup for the first time
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-05 09:19
Karol Kucera had been scheduled to play the last match for Slovakia, but the
31-year-old veteran, who plans to retire after the weekend, has hardly played
this year and Slovakia captain Miloslav Mecir went with Mertinak.
Slovakia was without Karol Beck, who was nominated but withdrawn Friday after
aggravating a left-knee injury. He has denied unconfirmed reports of failing a
doping test after the semifinal win over Argentina.
Hrbaty ended Ljubicic's unbeaten run in Davis Cup play this year and beat the
Croat for the first time in six meetings.
"Ivan had lost some five-setters recently," Hrbaty said.
Ljubicic was 4-10 in five-setters in his career; Hrbaty went in with a 12-7
record.
Ljubicic failed to equal John McEnroe's 1982 record of 12 Davis Cup wins in a
year ¡ª eight singles and four doubles. Ljubicic finished the year 11-1.
He said he woke up with neck pain that required treatment all morning.
"I didn't know if I would play or not," he said. "It was probably the most
difficult decision I had to make in my career ¡ª to play or not."
Ljubicic said he had to vomit when he left the court during the third set
because he felt ill after taking painkillers. He also said he had trouble
concentrating during the match.
"But Dominik really played well and deserved to win, it was the best match he
played against me," Ljubicic said.
Ljubicic appeared to be cruising when he won the first set. But he fell
behind 3-0 in the second and Hrbaty took a 2-1 lead in sets. The Slovak, ranked
No. 19, committed two double-faults and a backhand error in dropping serve to
give Ljubicic a 5-3 lead in the fourth. Ljubicic closed the set with an ace. He
finished with 29 aces to Hrbaty's 15.
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