Ljubicic: I Thought It Was Over

After three tie breaks Ljubicic managed to overpower his great friend Thomas Johansson.

After two hours and 45 minutes of struggle, Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic managed to overpower Thomas Johansson in three tie breaks 7-6, 6-7 and 7-6, which was his third time he had reached the maximum number of tie breaks. After this match at PBZ Zagreb Indoors, he cancelled couples because he was too tired. 

“I apologised to Marin and he understands me. It really did not make sense to play doubles because then I would be dead for tomorrow’s semi-finals”, Ljubicic said.

He commented on Friday’s duel which he came out of as a victor.

“He served excellently and created problems for me. I did not play by best and I have to admit this court is too fast for me.             I did not feel too good. Since we train together, we know all out tricks. When I had to save three tie breaks I thought I could lose, but this is a fast court and a serve can solve everything. Balls to not bounce high and that creates great problems for me, which caused many slices. Serve is my strongest suit and it worked when I needed it the most”, Ljubicic said.

He will play in the semi-finals with Mikhail Juzhni whom he beat in the five matches so far.

“Let us not kid ourselves. It will not be easy although I have a positive score with him. He has uncomfortable hits that bounce low. It will be a difficult match, but I believe I can win with the support of the excellent spectators. I am not tired, but there was no sense in playing doubles”, he concluded