By Todd Goldman

Surprises abound in Croatia
For a country trying to make a breakthrough into the European Union, Croatia had no difficulty showing that it is worthy of international recognition in tennis by scoring a quarterfinal berth in the 2003 Davis Cup competition.

The Croatian squad, highlighted by Ivan Ljubicic playing leading man, sentimental favorite Goran Ivanisevic guest-starring in the doubles, and Mario Ancic cast in a supporting role, adeptly pulled off a faultless 4-1 first- round victory over a verdant American squad of James Blake, Mardy Fish, Taylor Dent, and Robby Ginepri at Zagreb in early February.

But was this outcome really a surprise?
It’s true that throughout the 103-year history of the Davis Cup the Americans have dominated, outshining foes to win the coveted competition on a record 32 occasions. But the United States has not won a Davis Cup cham pionship since 1995 and with the loss to Croatia, has now been relegated to the World Group qualifying ranks for the second time in the past three years.

As for Croatia, it is a small nation of proud and strong people that always manages to maintain the aura of not capitulating to larger powers. With the likes of Ivanisevic, Ljubicic, and Ancic, its Davis Cup team went into battle and exemplified exactly what Croatians are all about.

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