Match report

Josselin Ouanna © Tennistalk.com
Grand Prix de Tennis De Lyon
1st round
10/20/08 1 2 3 Tot
fr  Josselin Ouanna 6 2 7 7 6 2
hr  Ivan Ljubicic 7 7 6 5 4 1
Ivan Ljubicic © Tennistalk.com

  • Ouanna sends Ljubicic crashing out of Lyon

    10/21/08 6:33 AM | Jonathan Morgan
    A man who dominated the indoor season just three years ago now can't even win a round as Ljubicic is sent home by young Frenchman Josselin Ouanna.

    Ivan Ljubicic won the Lyon title back in 2001 and was exceptional in the 2005 indoor season. Nowadays, however, he is a shadow of his former self. His serve is still there, as supported by the 24 aces he threw down on the French wildcard.

    Ljubicic was pretty good for the first two sets and served for the match at 7-6, 5-4 before being broken. Ouanna forced a tiebreak, which he took 7-5. To be honest, Ljubicic looked pathetic out there. His serve was clicking, true, but Ouanna's return of serve was terrible. He could barely get a second serve back in play. The Croat looked dismal from the back of the court as both his speed and movement have declined.

    Ouanna is a talented player, but not exactly a world champion. He made Ljubicic look bad out there. Ljubicic was late to many of his shots, leaving him susceptible to attack by the Frenchman. Ljubicic's career is towards the tail end and this result certainly gives evidence to that claim. Ouanna will quare off against either Ivo Karlovic or Nicolas Lapentti in the next round.

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