Americans tied in Davis Cup

ZAGREB, Croatia, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- James Blake salvaged a point for the United States and created an opening-day deadlock in its first-ever Davis Cup meeting with Croatia Friday with a 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) victory over 18-year-old Mario Ancic.

Ivan Ljubicic defeated American Mardy Fish, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4, in the first singles match on the carpet courts at the Hall Dom Sportova.

Blake and Fish are expected to take on Ljubicic and Goran Ivanisevic in Saturday's critical doubles match. The captains, however, can change their nominations up until one hour before the start of play.

Ljubicic took advantage of the fast court conditions, a packed arena and an inexperienced foe to record 30 aces and give the home team an early advantage.

"I played pretty good, I was serving big, and in the end I had only one break point against me," Ljubicic said. "I had a lot of options with how to make the points and I felt pretty comfortable out there. I like this court."

Fish, 21, was playing in only his second Davis Cup and his first singles match.

"I've never played anybody before who served against me like that," he said. "I couldn't read it, I had no answer to it, and usually my return of serve is one of my biggest strengths."

American Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe was forced to turn to Fish due to the absence of Andy Roddick, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

The 20-year-old Roddick, who led the U.S. to the semifinals last year, suffered a wrist injury last month at the Australian Open, while Sampras and Agassi have made participating in Davis Cup a lower priority in recent years.

With those three out, Blake has assumed the leadership of the American squad. He came through Friday, improving to 8-1 lifetime in this event. His only loss in Davis Cup was a four-set defeat to France's Sebastien Grosjean in last year's semifinals.

The 23-year-old Blake, coming off a career-best Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open, went up two sets and 3-0 against Ancic, who saved two match points at 4-5 but could not win the tiebreak to force a fourth set.

"I knew Ancic hadn't experienced this type of pressure before and I wanted to take advantage of that," Blake said. "I felt like I was the veteran out there which is weird for me at just 23 years of age, but it was a lot of fun and I'm glad I handled it well."

In the 103-year history of the Davis Cup, the United States has 60 finals appearances and 32 championships, both records. But it has not won since 1995.

Seven other first-round ties are being played this weekend.

Mark Philippoussis and world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt cruised to straight-sets victories to give Australia a commanding 2-0 lead against England.

Playing on clay in Sydney, Philippoussis crushed Alan Mackin, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, and Hewitt swept past Alex Bogdanovic, 7-5, 6-1, 6-2.

Russian Mikhail Youzhny showed shades of his brilliant performance in last year's final when he pulled out a 3-6, 6-7 (8-10), 7-6 (8-6), 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Radek Stepanek in four hours, 14 minutes. That left Russia tied with the Czech Republic at 1-1.

France, last year's runner-up, took a 2-0 lead at Romania as Grosjean beat Adrian Voinea, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (12-10), and Nicolas Escude overcame Andrei Pavel, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

Spain also went 2-0 up on Belgium at home. Juan Carlos Ferrero dispatched Cristophe Rochus, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5, and Carlos Moya held off Xavier Malisse, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).

Switzerland split its two matches at the Netherlands. After Dutchman Sjeng Schalken rallied past Michel Kratochvil, 6-3, 7-5, 1-6, 4-6, 6-4; Roger Federer routed Raemon Sluiter, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

Argentina took a 2-0 lead over Germany and Brazil was tied with Sweden at 1-1.