Zagreb, Croatia ? James Blake did his job as the U.S. team’s lone experienced Davis Cup player, beating Mario Ancic in straight sets Friday to tie the first-round series against Croatia 1-1.

Blake’s 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (5) victory on the quick indoor court improved his Davis Cup record to 5-1 in singles, 8-1 overall.

The United States trailed the best-of-five series after the first match, in which Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic served 30 aces to beat Mardy Fish 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Ljubicic’s string of brilliant serves demoralized Fish, who was making his Davis Cup singles debut. The Croatian ended the match with an ace.

“I’ve never played anybody with a serve like that,” said Fish, who had 11 aces. His only previous Davis Cup match was in doubles.

“I had no answer for his serve, and that doesn’t happen very often, because one of the best parts of my game is my return,” Fish said.

In today’s doubles, Blake and Fish will face Ljubicic and 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic.