Post by Jane on Jan 8, 2004 23:19:20 GMT
DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia fired 10 aces in upsetting fourth-seeded Sebastien Grosjean of France 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open on Thursday.
Ljubicic set up a semifinal match on Friday with seventh-seeded Tim Henman, who beat Sargis Sargsian of Armenia 6-3, 6-1 for his ninth consecutive ATP tour win.
"I know my next match will be difficult because Ivan has a game which is centered around a huge serve," Henman said. "I have to try and get the ball back at him tomorrow. I believe I can play well in the semifinal because my game has come a long way in the last 10 to 11 months."
Eighth-seeded Agustin Calleri of Argentina and wild card Nicolas Escude of France will play in the other semi.
Ljubicic, who carries a picture of compatriot Goran Ivanisevic with his Wimbledon trophy for inspiration, started brightly by breaking Grosjean in the sixth game of the first set, but faltered at 5-6 down in the second to allow the Frenchman to draw level on sets.
But Ljubicic restored his focus to gather breaks in the third and ninth games and beat Grosjean for the first time in three meetings when the latter hit the ball long on match point.
Henman was hardly tested by Sargsian, whom he broke twice in each set to won his ninth successive match, stretching back to last October when he won his last outing in 2003, the Paris Masters.
Henman was a finalist in Doha in 1997 and 1999 and has high hopes of faring better.
"I am obviously very pleased with my efforts the whole of this week," he said. "I was controlling the rallies today. I am simply trying to keep my good run of form going."
Ljubicic set up a semifinal match on Friday with seventh-seeded Tim Henman, who beat Sargis Sargsian of Armenia 6-3, 6-1 for his ninth consecutive ATP tour win.
"I know my next match will be difficult because Ivan has a game which is centered around a huge serve," Henman said. "I have to try and get the ball back at him tomorrow. I believe I can play well in the semifinal because my game has come a long way in the last 10 to 11 months."
Eighth-seeded Agustin Calleri of Argentina and wild card Nicolas Escude of France will play in the other semi.
Ljubicic, who carries a picture of compatriot Goran Ivanisevic with his Wimbledon trophy for inspiration, started brightly by breaking Grosjean in the sixth game of the first set, but faltered at 5-6 down in the second to allow the Frenchman to draw level on sets.
But Ljubicic restored his focus to gather breaks in the third and ninth games and beat Grosjean for the first time in three meetings when the latter hit the ball long on match point.
Henman was hardly tested by Sargsian, whom he broke twice in each set to won his ninth successive match, stretching back to last October when he won his last outing in 2003, the Paris Masters.
Henman was a finalist in Doha in 1997 and 1999 and has high hopes of faring better.
"I am obviously very pleased with my efforts the whole of this week," he said. "I was controlling the rallies today. I am simply trying to keep my good run of form going."
