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Post by annie on Aug 8, 2005 15:23:06 GMT 3
Yeah!!! Would be a fun match actually I think. Ily, I think grass would be perfect for Croats but just as here in Russia, they do not have facilities for that, so it'll probably be hard court. We shall see  |
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Post by Annie on Nov 29, 2005 11:20:48 GMT 3
Ivanisevic returns to Davis Cup ;D
The Croatian and Slovak Tennis Associations today nominated their four-man teams for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Final, which will take place on 2-4 December at the Sibamac Arena NTC, Bratislava:
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Dominik Hrbaty
Karol Beck
Michal Mertinak
Karol Kucera
Miroslav Mecir (Captain)
CROATIA
Ivan Ljubicic
Mario Ancic
Ivo Karlovic
Goran Ivanisevic
Niki Pilic (Captain)
For the third tie in a row, the Slovak Republic have named an unchanged team. For its first Davis Cup Final, the Slovaks have named Dominik Hrbaty and Karol Beck, who have both won all but one of their live singles rubbers in the Slovaks' three victories so far this year, Michal Mertinak, who in partnership with Beck, is undefeated in three doubles rubbers, and veteran Karol Kucera. The Slovaks will enjoy home advantage for the fourth time this year.
Croatia have named 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic to replace Sasa Tuksar in a team otherwise unchanged to that which overcame Romania in the quarterfinals and Russia in the last four. Ivanisevic last played Davis Cup in 2003, partnering Ivan Ljubicic to victory in the doubles rubber against USA. He and Ljubicic are, in fact, unbeaten in six Davis Cup doubles rubbers so far. Ljubicic has won a maximum nine singles and doubles rubbers in the 2005 campaign through the semifinals and is bidding to emulate John McEnroe's perfect record of eight singles and four doubles rubbers in 1982.
The two nations have never met before in Davis Cup competition and are bidding to become the 12th nation to have its name engraved on the famous trophy.
Two of the four players nominated can be changed up to one hour before the draw, which takes place on 1 December at Bratislava Castle at 1000 GMT.
Daviscup.com will carry live scoring, match reports and news stories, photos, interviews and live radio coverage, beginning a few days before the Final.
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Post by Annie on Nov 29, 2005 11:32:52 GMT 3
BRATISLAVA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Factbox on Davis Cup finalists Slovakia and Croatia who meet in Bratislava from Friday:
SLOVAKIA
First played: 1994
Ties Played: 29 (21-8)
Years in World Group (1981 onwards): 7
Most Total Wins: 33 - Karol Kucera
Most Singles Wins: 27 - Kucera
Most Doubles Wins: 8 - Jan Kroslak
Best Doubles Team: Jan Kroslak/Branislav Stankovic (4-0)
Most Ties Played: 24 - Kucera
Most Years Played: 12- Kucera
- - - -
Path to the 2005 final:
1st round: Spain (home) 4-1
Quarter-final: Netherlands (home) 4-1
Semi-final: Argentina (home) 4-1
2005 Players Singles (W/L) Doubles (W/L)
Kucera 1-0
Dominik Hrbaty 4-1
Michal Mertinak 2-0 3-0
Karol Beck 2-1 3-0
Kamil Capkovic 0-1
- - - -
Head-to-head record with Croatia: First meeting
- - - -
CROATIA
First played: 1993
Ties Played: 28 (17-11)
Years in World Group (1981 onwards): 6
Most Total Wins: 33 - Goran Ivanisevic
Most Singles Wins: 20 - Ivanisevic
Most Doubles Wins: 13 - Ivanisevic
Best Doubles Team: Ivanisevic/Ivan Ljubicic (6-0)
Most Ties Played: 18 - Ivanisevic
Most Years Played: 9- Ivanisevic
- - - -
Path to the 2005 final
1st round: United States (Los Angeles) 3-2
Quarter-final: Romania (Split) 4-1
Semi-final: Russia (Split) 3-2
- - - -
2005 Players Singles (W/L) Doubles (W/L)
Ivan Ljubicic 6-0 3-0
Ivo Karlovic 0-1
Roko Karanusic 0-1
Mario Ancic 1-3 3-0
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Nov 29, 2005 20:02:57 GMT 3
it's ironic that the Slovaks have played all there ties at home and won them all 4-1
Well i would say on paper croatia to win it easy, but things in life are never easy so i say 3-2 win to the Slovaks
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marats
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Post by marats on Nov 29, 2005 23:27:55 GMT 3
You never know with a great Ivanisevic ?
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Post by jewell on Nov 30, 2005 14:10:06 GMT 3
I'll be supporting Croatia for the sole reason that Ivanisevic is playing
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Post by lau on Nov 30, 2005 14:26:03 GMT 3
It´s hard for me.... I adore Goran, but I don´t like Ivan at all (the way he is..., not as a player, of course) LMAO....
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Post by Annie on Nov 30, 2005 14:51:36 GMT 3
Yeah Lau..but then there's also Mario  |
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Post by lau on Nov 30, 2005 15:10:01 GMT 3
I`m totally neutral about Mario. Nice kid, but he really needs to win matches LOL. I`m talking about important matches....., for once in his life, hahahahaha
So much was expected of him....
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Post by Annie on Nov 30, 2005 15:12:35 GMT 3
probably that's the reason for not winning...too much pressure sometimes LOL
I seriously don't know who'll win...Slovaks seem to have some magic when it comes to important DC ties LOL
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Post by jewell on Nov 30, 2005 15:13:46 GMT 3
I just hope they let Goran play in the doubles at least.
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Post by Annie on Nov 30, 2005 15:14:37 GMT 3
Yeah, that would be fun if they do that ;D
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Post by jewell on Nov 30, 2005 15:18:52 GMT 3
I think it's nice and very fitting that they picked Goran for the team. After all he has done for Croatian tennis over years, it's nice they are letting him be a part of what will probably be their finest moment in tennis.
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Post by Annie on Nov 30, 2005 15:38:52 GMT 3
amen to all of the above
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Nov 30, 2005 16:31:37 GMT 3
wouldnt be amazing if they picked Goran for the final rubber at 2-2 and he wins. Knowing him though it can happen.
I am with lau about the croats adore Goran dislike Ivan and Alright with Mario
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