Davis Cup : order or play

daviscup.com

Croatia favourites in Porec

Porec, the big seaside resort in Istria which dates back to Roman times, will host its first Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie when Croatia takes on Chile in a recently built, state-of-art hall tomorrow.

The draw ceremony was held on Thursday in the old city hall. Croatia nominated Marin Cilic and Mario Ancic for the singles, while Chile chose Nicolas Massu and Paul Capdeville. Chile’s No. 1 player Fernando Gonzalez is out with a back injury, but the Chilean team remains confident, as their captain, Hans Gildemeister, said shortly after the draw. "Many things can happen in the Davis Cup, history has shown that everything is possible. Now, with Gonzalez out of the tie, Croatia is a slight favourite, but we have nothing to lose. Anyway, favourites have to show it on the court. We have been practising hard, and feel we can put up a good fight.”

The schedule for the weekend is as follows:

Friday
play starts at 2pm Croatia time (1pm GMT)
Mario Ancic (CRO) v Nicolas Massu (CHI)
Marin Cilic (CRO) v Paul Capdeville (CHI)

Saturday
play starts at 2pm Croatia time (1pm GMT)
Mario Ancic/Marin Cilic (CRO) v Paul Capdeville/Nicolas Massu (CHI)

Sunday
play starts at 12am Croatia time (11am GMT)
Marin Cilic (CRO) v Nicolas Massu (CHI)
Mario Ancic (CRO) v Paul Capdeville

Chile up against it

Chile hasn’t won a Davis Cup tie in Europe since 1967 and it's going to be a big ask without Gonzalez, but confidence remains high. Massu, double Olympic champion and former world No. 9, will face Ancic in the opening singles rubber on Friday. "For me to play first or second match has no difference. Just have to come out and play hard, which I expect from me and Paul,” said Massu.

Ancic and Massu have played only once before in 2006, Ancic won that match and is hoping for a repeat performance this weekend. "We also practised a few times, and certainly know each others game well. I will have to execute the best I can, keep the good level in my game, and not give him too much time,” he said.

Both teams agree that the court is fair for both parties although it is not very fast, players with a big serve will have some advantage. "If Mario has his advantage serving, I also have mine, speed around the court,” said the Chilean. Massu has not started the new season in great style having lost all his tour-level matches, but he is not worried. "I never look at what has been, always ahead. There have been great times, and not so great in my career, I hope to turn it around in this tie.”

On the other hand, Ancic brings a much better record having reached the final of Zagreb indoors and the semifinals in Rotterdam. "I have prepared well in Zagreb, and here in Porec, playing good, so I hope to give Croatia a winning start on Friday,” he revealed.

Tough choices for Croatian captain

Croatia’s captain Goran Prpic had a dilemma before the nominations, having to pick two from three very good players. He went as most expected, selecting Cilic and Ancic for the singles rubbers and leaving out the big serving Ivo Karlovic. "With three evenly matched and quality players, form had to be the decider. Fortunately, there were no injury problems that hampered us in the past, and I felt that Cilic and Ancic have the advantage over Karlovic.” Talking about the tie, Prpic had only one wish, "get the three points, and go on to the quarterfinal.”

Cilic the in-form player

Capdeville has never played a live Davis Cup rubber, but that did not make him less optimistic even though tomorrow he will play against a man who has started 2009 in style, winning two tournaments (Chennai and Zagreb) and 15 out of his last 17 matches. "I know Cilic has been playing extremely well, seen some of his matches, but I will be ready. The court is perfect, not too fast, not at all as it was suggested. If I play my best tennis, and I certainly hope it will happen, there will be chances and I hope to take them.”

Cilic and Capdeville have never faced each other before but the Croatian knows what to expect. "Going from hard court to indoor tennis is a bit easier than the other way around. I feel good, have been playing good. Capdeville, I understand is a very good back court player, also good on hard court. I need to serve well, I need to put pressure on him, and need to cut the number of unforced errors.”