Davis Cup: Ancic and Cilic give Croatia 2-0 lead over Chile

Mario Ancic and Marin Cilic gave Croatia a 2-0 lead over Chile in the opening singles round of the Davis Cup.

Ancic beat Nicolas Massu 6-3 6-3 7-6 while Cilic had no problem to make it past Paul Capdeville 6-1 6-2 6-1.

Ancic broke Massu in the fourth game of the opening set and never looked back, firing six aces and winning all his second-serve points to take the lead.

He produced more of the same in the second, breaking his opponent’s serve twice after being treated for toe blisters before coming back from 5-3 down in the third to take the tie-breaker 7-4 on his first match point.

“I served really well throughout the match, especially in the opening two sets. I had some problems in the third set because Massu raised his game and played very consistently but I am very pleased with my performance and I managed to stay calm when he tried to intimidate the umpire.” said Ancic.

During his match Mario served 16 aces and produced 46 winners.

Massu frequently complained to the umpire about line calls on the hardcourt surface, and was joined by Chile’s captain Hans Gildermeister.

“I knew they would keep complaining to the umpire, although it must be said that there were several bad calls on both ends,” Ancic said.

Cilic pummelled Capdeville with a barrage of powerful forehands and took only one hour 33 minutes to win the one-sided contest.

He converted seven of his 11 break points, fired 10 aces and produced several stinging backhand winners to delight the vociferous home crowd in the Zatika Arena.

“I was focused and determined not to give him the slightest chance to get into the match. It was an effervescent performance and we are now looking forward to Saturday’s doubles.” Cilic said.


Photo AP