Novak Djokovic stayed on course for a successful defence of his Dubai Tennis Championships title by reaching the semi-finals.
However, the second seed - and highest-ranked player in the draw following Roger Federer's withdrawal prior to the tournament - was again made to struggle.
After needing three sets to see off fellow Serbian Victor Troicki yesterday, Djokovic was outplayed by experienced Croatian Ivan Ljubicic for much of the first two sets today.
Ljubicic, 30, cruised through the opener and then had chances at 4-4 in the second set only for Djokovic to hold and then take his first break point of the match to level.
That gave the world number two the confidence he needed and he did not lose a single game in the decider as he celebrated a 2-6 6-4 6-0 triumph.
Djokovic admitted he had found it difficult to get to grips with Ljubicic's serve.
"I think he serves as well as anybody on the tour right now," said the Serbian. "It (was) very difficult for me to get some returns back and try to get in some rallies. That was my goal, basically."
In the last four Djokovic will play Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, who overcame fellow unseeded player Michael Berrer 7-6 (7/5) 6-1.
Sixth seed Marin Cilic followed Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga out of the tournament when he was upset 7-6 (10/8) 7-5 by Jurgen Melzer.
The Austrian, who beat Federer's stand-in Tommy Robredo in the second round, said on www.atpworldtour.com: "I think if you win three matches in two sets and beat Robredo and Cilic back to back, you have to be confident. I'm really looking forward. I'm enjoying this week here."
Melzer next meets seventh seed Mikhail Youzhny, who was a 6-3 6-4 winner against Murray's conqueror Janko Tipsarevic today.
And the Russian is wary of his next opponent, saying: "I saw a little bit how Jurgen beat Cilic. It's a really tough match for me because he is playing well. He's had really good results."
No comments:
Post a Comment