Ljubicic fights back
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ByEurosport
Published 14/11/2006 at 17:03 GMT
Ivan Ljubicic fought back to beat defending champion David Nalbandian in three sets to keep alive his semi-final chances in Shanghai. The Croatian found a new lease of life after falling a set and a break down and now faces Roger Federer in his final rou
TENNIS, Ivan Ljubicic
Image credit: Reuters
Ljubicic broke Nalbandian in his opening service game, but the Argentine raised his game to take the first set 7-5, securing a crucial break at 5-5.
And, following an early break at the start of the second set, Nalbandian looked to be cruising as a sluggish Ljubicic continued his error-strewn performance.
But just as it seemed the Croatian looked resigned to a straight-sets defeat, he lifted his game and broke back as a nervous Nalbandian served for the match.
After taking a tense tie-break 10-8, Ljubicic began to dominate on his own service game, firing down six aces in nine points at the start of the final set to ensure the momentum was firmly in his favour.
And, as the clock ticked past midnight local time in Shanghai, Ljubicic broke the Nalbandian serve at 4-4 before serving out to seal an unlikely victory.
Ljubicic was delighted, especially as he lost to Nalbandian in the group stage 12 months ago.
"It's sweet revenge from last year, because last year he destroyed me, absolutely," he said
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