Ivo Karlovic and Marin Cilic were too much to handle for James Blake and Mardy Fish.  One has to believe that had the injured Andy Roddick been there things would have been different.

The Brian Brothers came up with a doubles win to bring the US in winning range, but the two losses by James Blake left the US a deficit unable to be recovered from.

Overall it seemed as the atmosphere had some impact on the outcome.  This was an indoor clay tournament on the opponent’s home turf and it did not suit the Americans well at all. 

Oh well, there’s always next year!

Blake’s loss to Ivo Karlovic 6 – 7 (5), 4 – 6, 6 – 3, 7 – 6 (3), 7 – 5 came mostly because of Ivo’s huge serve.  He smacked 47 aces and came back from a two set deficit to beat James in Porec, Croatia Friday July 10th , 2009.

Mardy Fish also fought a battle against Marin Cilic.  After 4 hours and 23 minutes Cilic was able to claim victory 4 – 6, 6 – 3, 6 – 7  (3), 6 – 1, 8 – 6.

If only Andy Roddick was there the score would mostlikely be different from Croatia’s 2 – 0 lead over the US.  A hip injury prevented Roddick from being able to play.  One would think that the injury is much more mental than physical after his loss in the Wimbledon finals to Roger Federer.