Ivanisevic to return at Davis Cup final
Tuesday, 22 November 2005 16:52Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has been named in Croatia's team for next month's Davis Cup final against Slovakia in Bratislava.
Ivanisevic, 35, retired from professional tennis after Wimbledon in 2004. He is likely to be used in the doubles only if Ivan Ljubicic or Mario Ancic were injured or exhausted after the first day's singles.
Slovak captain Miroslav Mecir decided not to tinker with success, leaving his squad unchanged from their semi-final against Argentina.
Dominik Hrbaty and Karol Beck are expected to carry the load, with veteran Karol Kucera and Michal Mertinak rounding out a team that has overachieved in beating last year's champions Spain on the way to the country's first ever final.
"There was no reason to change anything," Mecir told reporters in announcing the team.
He added: "Their (Croatia's) capacity and rankings are better than those of our players, but what's important is what happens on the court."
Teams announced on Tuesday:
Slovak Republic: Dominik Hrbaty, Karol Beck, Michal Mertinak, Karol Kucera. Captain: Miloslav Mecir
Croatia: Ivan Ljubicic, Mario Ancic, Ivo Karlovic, Goran Ivanisevic. Captain: Nikki Pilic
The final takes place from December 2 to 4.
