BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- Croatia won its first Davis Cup title Sunday, with Mario Ancic beating Michal Mertinak of Slovakia 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-4 in the decisive fifth match.
Dominik Hrbaty had pulled Slovakia even at 2-2 by defeating an ailing Ivan Ljubicic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Ancic then downed Mertinak to clinch the best-of-five series between two first-time finalists.
"I felt everything was under my control," Ancic said. "It's an unforgettable match and an unforgettable day. This has been a spectacular year for me."
Croatia's Nikki Pilic became the first captain to win the trophy for different nations. He led Germany to Davis Cup titles in 1988, 1989 and 1993.
"There is no comparison," Pilic said at the victory ceremony. "Today I won with my people."
Croatia became the 12th champion in the competition's 105-year history. This was Croatia's biggest team success since the country became independent in 1991 during the violent break-up of Yugoslavia. The soccer team's third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup had been considered Croatia's sports highlight.
"I am not sure people realize how big it is to be at the top of the pyramid," Ancic said.
Goran Ivanisevic, who came out of retirement for the final, added the Davis Cup championship to his 2001 Wimbledon title. He wasn't selected to play singles or doubles but was a member of the four-man squad.
Ivanisevic's Wimbledon title and Janica Kostelic's four Olympic medals, including three gold, at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, remain the country's top individual sports achievements.
Ivanisevic has been the mentor Ancic, who had never won a match that counted this year in Davis Cup _ but he took the biggest one of all. Ranked No. 22, he overwhelmed the 165th-ranked Mertinak, who has played mostly challenger events all year and who is primarily a doubles specialist.
Karol Kucera had been scheduled to play the last match for Slovakia, but the 31-year-old veteran, who plans to retire after the weekend, has hardly played this year and Slovakia captain Miloslav Mecir went with Mertinak.
Slovakia was without Karol Beck, who was nominated but withdrawn Friday after aggravating a left-knee injury. He has denied unconfirmed reports of failing a doping test after the semifinal win over Argentina.
