Roddick Is on the Level for U.S.

So what it if took the United States past 5 in the afternoon to take a set against Croatia?

The sun was dropping fast at the Home Depot Center in Carson, right along with U.S. Davis Cup hopes for 2005. Only once have the Americans rallied from an 0-2 deficit after the opening day of Davis Cup competition -- in any round.

Just as that dusty statistic was being unearthed Friday, someone came to the rescue for the oblivion-bound Americans. But, surprise, it wasn’t Andre Agassi, the man brought in for these kind of circumstances.

Instead, vital assistance came from Andy Roddick, who defeated Mario Ancic of Croatia, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4, in 2 hours 33 minutes. His victory evened the first-round match at 1-1. Croatia had opened with a 1-0 lead after Ivan Ljubicic’s ruthless display against Agassi. Ljubicic had 18 aces in a comprehensive 6-3, 7-6 (0), 6-3 victory, lasting a little over two hours.

Agassi appreciated the rescue mission.

“He said, ‘Thanks for helping out a little bit,’ ” Roddick said of his post-match conversation with Agassi. “I thought it was pretty cool, considering I know he wasn’t too happy after his match today, that he stuck around, kind of said ‘well done’ afterward.”

It took time for the glum mood to lift from the U.S. camp, and from the crowd of 6,021, other than the pockets of energized Croatian fans. Anyone familiar with Ljubicic’s play in 2005 -- he has reached four finals -- would not call it a massive upset.

“I played great match,” Ljubicic said. “I think maybe one of the best ever at the Davis Cup. I’m really pleased to win in three because it wasn’t easy out there at all. Obviously, I do feel a little bit fatigued, so it was very good for me to get out of there in three.”

For the Americans, the manner of Agassi’s loss created a pall. Among other things, he couldn’t adjust to the swirling conditions, the high kick serve to his backhand of the slower court.

Agassi seemed to be pulling out of his malaise in the second set after getting some input from U.S. Captain Patrick McEnroe and his own coach, Darren Cahill. He led, 5-2, but was broken at 5-3 when he served for the set.

“I think it’s possible I could have relaxed a little bit there in the second had I served out the set,” Agassi said. “I played a very mediocre game there. It was a painful performance.”

His uneasiness carried over to Roddick. Roddick, though, fought through his early problems and finished impressively, not facing a break point after the first set.

“It’s a very vulnerable feeling because it affects you, but it really doesn’t have a direct impact on how your match is supposed to go,” Roddick said of Agassi’s match. “I’m not going to lie, I was really tight during the first set today. But I’m happy because I was able to dig down and find another way to get through it and got through the process of getting there. I think this was a big steppingstone.”

For Agassi, 34, it was hardly the way he envisioned his return. This was his first Davis Cup match in nearly five years. His last appearance had been in Southern California when he and Pete Sampras combined to beat the Czech Republic, 3-2, in the quarterfinals at the Forum in 2000.

There, Agassi did the heavy lifting when Sampras faltered the first day. Things came full circle on Friday when Agassi seemed vulnerable:

“I’d like not to be needed on Sunday, to be honest,” he said. “It would be nice if we could have Andy take care of business and the doubles. But that’s three matches away.”

Said McEnroe: “There’s not a lot I need to say to Andre. He sort of said ‘sorry’ to me. I said, ‘Listen, there’s nothing for you to be sorry about.’ ”

Attention will shift to today’s doubles featuring twins Bob and Mike Bryan of Camarillo. The Bryans are undefeated in Davis Cup (5-0), but are facing perhaps their toughest competition in the form of Ljubicic and Ancic, bronze medalists at the Olympics in Athens last summer. The Bryans are 2-0 against Ljubicic and Ancic, both matches going three sets.

Roddick said it was an advantage that he and Agassi could rest, watching Ancic and Ljubicic put in a potentially long day before Sunday’s reverse singles, when Roddick will face Ljubicic, followed by Agassi and Ancic.

“They are going to have pressure on them all three days,” Roddick said. “The conditions weren’t too extreme tonight. It’s not like it’s super hot or anything. They play pretty much every week on tour. I think they’re used to it.”

As for the Bryans, there’s little doubt they are ready for their turn in the spotlight. This will be their first Davis Cup match in Southern California, playing in front of friends and family members.

“They’re stoked, period,” McEnroe said. “They’re jumping off the walls as we speak back at the hotel, you can be sure of that.”