 Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 18 Sep 2008 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 18 Sep 2008 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 18 Sep 2008 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 18 Sep 2008 |  Photographer: Marcelo Ruschel
Date: 18 Sep 2008 | |
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| 18 Sep 2008 - Sportski Centar Visnjik, Zadar - Gordan Gabrovec/Neven Berticevic | |
| Ancic replaces Cilic in Croatia |
Mario Ancic and Thomaz Bellucci will open the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Play-off tie between Croatia and Brazil, which takes place for the first time in the seaside resort of Zadar on the Adriatic Coast. Croatia’s No. 1 Ivo Karlovic will conclude the first day’s play against Thiago Alves.
Nominated Croatian players for Saturday’s doubles are Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko, who was called up by the captain Goran Prpic to replace Marin Cilic who had to pull out the day before the draw due to a nerve inflammation in his left cheek. This marks the sixth tie in row that Prpic has had problems with an injured or sick player. Without Cilic his choice for the singles was simple, Ivo Karlovic and Mario Ancic.
Marcelo Melo and Andre Sa have been chosen for the doubles by the Brazilian captain, Francisco Costa, who is very optimistic about his team’s chances.
Brazil remains optimistic
"We came here to fight for every point, and every game, and we have reason to be optimistic. We expected Karlovic and Ancic in singles, doubles choice of Karanusic and Zovko is a surprise, but they can change until one hour before the match on Saturday,” said Costa.
"I still think that we are a stronger side, and favourites, but first we have to win three rubbers. It will be tougher without Cilic who played some great tennis recently, winning New Haven, and also a great show at the US Open, but we still have, in Karlovic and Ancic two great players," said Prpic.
The Brazilian No. 1, Tomaz Bellucci, is also optimistic: "Every tie will be tough, everything is possible. We are ready."
Sunday will start with the No. 1 showdown between Ivo Karlovic and Tomaz Bellucci, followed by Mario Ancic and Thiago Alves. The tie will be played in a new Visnjik sports centre, which can seat 7,000 spectators and is expected to be sold-out because it is the first time a tennis match has been played in Zadar.
The draw was held in spectacular surroundings in the 9th century St. Donat Church. "This is the most spectacular draw ever as far as I'm concerned," said referee Andrew Jarrett.
Karlovic ready to win
Karlovic will attempt to win his first live Davis Cup rubber. He has lost the three he has played so far, two to Argentineans Juan Ignacio Chela and Gaston Gaudio, albeit six years ago, and one to Italian Simone Bolelli in Dubrovnik, this April. However, he had knee problems in that match and this time he is ready. "Surface is very fast, and good for me. I feel ready to go," said the world No. 14.
Ancic is on another player on the comeback trail. He has missed the last two months due to illness, but now he is ready to play and win, like he did in Dubrovnik against Italy, winning both his singles and then the doubles with Cilic.
"I'm practising for two weeks now, after a spell in mountains to get my strength back. We have been working hard in Zadar, and we are ready to show it.”
Croatia won the 2005 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas in Bratislava against Slovakia, but dropped out of the World Group in 2008, after losing the play-off tie to Great Britain at Wimbledon without the three top guns, Ivan Ljubicic, Ancic and Karlovic. They hope that this weekend will be a promotion weekend.
The full draw is as follows:
Friday
Mario Ancic (CRO) v Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v Thiago Alves (BRA)
Saturday
Roko Karanusic/Lovro Zovko (CRO) v Marcelo Melo/Andre Sa (BRA)
Sunday
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)
Mario Ancic (CRO) v Thiago Alves (BRA)
Related Links on other websites
> Information from CTA
> Informação no português - CBT
Related Links on Daviscup.com
> Tie Information
Related Audio
 Interview with Goran Prpic (CRO) - draw day
Interview with Francisco Costa (BRA) - draw day
 
If you cannot hear the audio, then please update your media player by following one of the links above.
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