Article: CROATIA OUSTS U.S. IN FIRST ROUND.(Sports)

Byline: Stephen Wade Associated Press

ZAGREB, Croatia -- Ivan Ljubicic almost gave up playing Davis Cup six years ago. The Americans wish he had.

Ljubicic and his Croatian teammates eliminated the United States in the first round Sunday, the second time in three seasons that the Davis Cup's most successful nation has bowed out early.

Ljubicic, 23, beat James Blake, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3, to give Croatia an insurmountable 3-1 lead. In the inconsequential second singles, Mario Ancic defeated Taylor Dent ,7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (10), to give Croatia a 4-1 victory.

The Americans still can't win without their top players. Pete Sampras and Andre ...

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