Croatia on verge of Davis Cup advance

VARAZDIN, Croatia, March 5 (UPI) -- Marin Cilic ran through a straight-set win in 2 hours Friday, putting Croatia ahead 2-0 in first-round Davis Cup action against Ecuador.

Ivo Karlovic had needed five sets and nearly 4 hours to stake the homestanding Croats to the lead but Cilic swept by in three sets. That put Croatia one win from advancing to the Davis Cup quarterfinals against either Serbia or the United States in July.

Cilic was workmanlike in his 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Giovanni Lapentti. Cilic lost only two points on serve in the first game and one in the second in taking command of the match.

Karlovic, as usual, was in control when serving. He amassed 36 aces and lost serve just once in the 6-2, 5-7, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-4 victory over Nicolas Lapentti, Giovanni's older brother.

The Lapenttis will try to keep the Ecuadorian hopes alive when they team for Saturday's doubles match against Croats Ivan Dodig and Antonio Veic. They would then have singles duties Sunday with Nicolas playing Cilic and Giovanni going against Karlovic.