Today marks the start of America’s Davis Cup tie with Croatia in the World Group Quarterfinals. The indoor red clay courts of the Zatika Sports Hall, Porec, will provide a stiff test to Patrick McEnroe’s team, who are more accustomed to the traditional fast, hard courts in the US.
Both sides have good pedigree when it comes to the Davis Cup, with the USA triumphing in 2007 thanks to the efforts of James Blake and Andy Roddick. Croatia were victorious in 2005, as Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic helped defeat Balkan rivals Slovakia.
With Andy Roddick pulling out with a thigh injury following his agonising defeat at the hands of Roger Federer in the final of SW19, James Blake and Mardy Fish will represent the US in singles, with the Byron brothers contesting the doubles . Giant Ivo Karlovic, who like Roddick succumbed to Federer at Wimbledon, and Marian Cilic will contest the singles for Croatia. Lovro Zovko joins the big serving Karlovic for the doubles.
In other Davis Cup action, multiple winners Spain take on Germany. With Tommy Haas opting out of Davis Cup duties, Tommy Robredo will take on Philip Kohlschreiber. Roland Garros semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco will take on Andreas Beck in the other rubber.
