The United States remains in a Davis Cup slump.
Ivan Ljubicic beat Andy Roddick in a taut, five-set marathon yesterday in Carson, Calif., to give Croatia an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the opening-round Davis Cup matches.
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Playing iron man for his country, Ljubicic outlasted Roddick, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (11-9), 6-7 (9-7), 6-2, in a match that lasted almost four hours.
"It's tough to describe. Really, really bad," a dejected Roddick said. "There's no worse feeling than losing a match in Davis Cup in our sport, especially when your teammates are counting on you."
The one remaining singles match became essentially an exhibition since Croatia had clinched the round. Andre Agassi was scheduled to play Mario Ancic, but doubles specialist Bob Bryan subbed for the United States.
The Americans, who lost to Spain in the finals last year, have won the Cup 31 times, but haven't taken it since 1995. The drought is their longest in 68 years. . . .
Australian Open champion Marat Safin beat Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 6-7 (7-3), 6-4, in Moscow to send Russia into the Davis Cup quarterfinals with a 4-1 win over Chile in the World Group.
In the second reverse singles match, Nikolay Davydenko downed Paul Capdeville, 6-2, 6-1.
Russia will play either France or Sweden in July.
• TRACK AND FIELD: Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia set the 13th pole vault world record of her career and promised to go for more this year. The Olympic champion cleared 16 feet 3/4 inch with ease at the European Indoor Championships in Madrid, breaking the mark of 16- 1/2 she set in Lievin, France, last month.
"I'm so happy that I broke the record today and I hope it won't be the last this year," Isinbayeva said. "I dedicate this to the public of Madrid."
Olympic decathlon and world indoor heptathlon champion Roman Sebrle retained the European heptathlon title, beating Aleksandr Pogorelov of Russia in the final event.
Olympic high jump and world indoor champion Stefan Holm of Sweden won gold, clearing 7-10 1/2 on his second attempt.
It was a world best for this year and a championship record. He tried to clear 7-11 1/4 to beat the Swedish record but failed.
