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3/3/11 5:43 PM | Ricky Dimon
Croatia reached the Davis Cup semifinals in 2009 and advanced to the quarterfinals last year. Even with home-court advantage, though, they will be hard-pressed to make it past their opener this time around with a tough German squad looming large.
One of the more entertaining 2011 Davis Cup first-round ties should come in the form of this weekend's Germany-Croatia showdown in Zagreb.
The Croats, who advanced the semifinals in 2009 before a quarterfinal showing last season, feature a foursome of Marin Cilic, Ivan Dodig, Ivo Karlovic, and Antonio Veic. Cilic slumped throughout the second half of last year and lost his season-opening match in Chennai, but he has won 10 of his last 14 matches and is coming off a runner-up performance in Marseille. Dodig, who captured the Zagreb title last month, has also won 10 of his last 14 matches and is up to a career-high ranking of No. 57 in the world.
Dodig is slated to play both singles and doubles, while Veic would only be used in an emergency situation.
Germany is countering with Philipp Kohlschreiber, Florian Mayer, Philipp Petzschner, and Christopher Kas. Mayer is in outstanding form and up to No. 36 in the world, one sport behind Kohlschreiber. He has already reached two semifinals in addition to a pair of quarterfinal finishes, most recently advancing two rounds in Dubai before succumbing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
The tie will begin with a showdown between Cilic and Mayer. Interestingly, they have already faced each other in Zagreb once this season. Mayer pulled off a 6-3, 6-4 quarterfinal upset of the two-time defending champion.
Home-court advantage should be a critical factor in a tie that appears to be so close on paper, and the doubles point will also be crucial. Barring any changes, Petzschner and Kas will go up against Dodig and Karlovic on Saturday. Petzschner won Wimbledon and qualified for the World Tour Finals in doubles last season with Austrian partner Jurgen Melzer.
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