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Originally Posted by Mistaflava
this time using your brain, what are your thoughts on the match?
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since you asked so nicely, I shall analyse the match-up for you.
First of all, the fact that the tie is taking place in Croatia won't phase the Russians - they don't seem to care where they play, they always seem to get the job done.
Ancic is in sh*te form. He went out in the 2nd round at the US Open to Djokovic, put up little fight against Hewitt in Cincy, struggled against Saulnier and Serra in Montreal before bowing out to Rusedski

. Prior to this, he lost to the hapless Srichaphan, and during the previous Davis Cup tie on the same surface Ancic lost in 5 sets to Pavel and struggled 7-6 7-6 against Hanescu (albeit was a dead rubber).
In Ancic's only previous tourney on carpet this year, he lost to unknown Sergiy Stakhovksy in the 2nd round, after struggling against lowly ranked Ulihrach in the 1st.
Davydenko on the other hand is having his best year at the top level, and has proven his versatility on all surfaces - remembering that he won the Kremlin Cup on carpet last year.
If Ancic can produce his best tennis this year, he stands a chance, but if he stays at the same level, Davydenko will wear him down. I also think that if Ancic loses this rubber badly, he is highly likely to lose the doubles and his reverse singles rubber as well - his confidence will be shot.
Oh, and following these 2 players, I'm still undecided as to whether its worth a bet, neither could be classified as 'reliable'.