Ivan Ljubicic
VIENNA, Austria – Two-time defending champion Ivan Ljubicic defeated Andreas Haider-Maurer of Austria 6-4, 7-5 Monday in the first round of the BA-CA Tennis Trophy.
Sixth-seeded Carlos Moya and eighth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis were both eliminated. Moya was upset by Austria’s Stefan Koubek 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-2, while Baghdatis lost to Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-2, 6-2.
”I was emotional coming back to Vienna where I won my two biggest titles,” Ljubicic said. ”A first match is always a struggle and I am lacking in rhythm. I could not practice for two weeks due to kidney stones.”
The third-seeded Croatian, who won the event in 2005 and 2006 without dropping serve, was broken at 2-1 in the first set after hitting into the net.
Ljubicic, who served 15 aces, did not give Haider-Maurer any break chances afterward. He broke the Austrian at 5-5 in the second set before closing out the match.
Ljubicic will now play either Mardy Fish or Nicolas Almagro.
Moya struggled with his serve. He faced 22 break points and lost on his serve five times.
The 15th-ranked Spaniard came back from a break down to win the second set, but was outplayed by Koubek in the decider.
”A great match, which I should have won in two sets,” Koubek said. ”I love playing Moya. His game suits me very well as a left hander.”
Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic rallied to beat Roko Karanusic of Croatia 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (3). Vanek next plays second-seeded Fernando Gonzalez.
Also advancing to the second round was Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, who rallied to beat Marc Gicquel of France 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Source: www.tsn.ca
