Ljubicic the key to Davis Cup final outcome

Three more victories this weekend would take his tally to 12 out of 12, matching the feat of Davis Cup great John McEnroe in 1982, and hoist him up alongside Goran Ivanisevic in the affections of Croatia’s public.

Ivanisevic, the former Wimbledon champion and Olympic bronze medallist, has been included in Croatia’s four-man team by captain Niki Pilic, offering him the chance of an emotional sign-off to a remarkable career.

The 34-year-old’s inspirational qualities are more likely to be used as a courtside cheerleader, although he insists he is ready to play if called upon. In reality, Croatia’s hopes rest squarely on the broad shoulders of Ljubicic, whose form since the U.S. Open has been nothing short of sensational. Consecutive titles in Metz and Vienna were followed by runs to the finals at the Madrid and Paris Masters. A berth at the Masters Cup in Shanghai meant he finished a gruelling year in the top 10 for the first time.

“He is a national hero, they should call it the Ljubicic Cup not the Davis Cup,” said Ivanisevic, who last featured in a Davis Cup tie in 2003 and now plays on the Seniors Tour.

Ljubicic, who launched Croatia on the road to the final with stunning wins over Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi in the first round in Los Angeles, is playing down his heroics, at least until the mission is accomplished.

“They were great wins but if we lose in the final it’s going to be easy to forget them,” said the 28-year-old, who fled war-torn Bosnia as a teenager to pursue his tennis career.

“I’m not thinking about (McEnroe’s) record. I just want to win the Davis Cup even if Mario (Ancic) wins both singles and I lose both and we win the doubles.

(Reuters)