Help

loading...

Article

  • Santoro, Ljubicic set for Eastbourne quarterfinal clash

    6/18/09 3:14 AM | Ricky Dimon
    Santoro, Ljubicic set for Eastbourne quarterfinal clash Ivan Ljubicic and Fabrice Santoro will square off at the AEGON International on Thursday afternoon. The winner will book a spot in the Eastbourne semifinals.

    It will be the ninth career meeting between two tour veterans when Fabrice Santoro and Ivan Ljubicic do battle in the quarterfinals of the AEGON International on Thursday afternoon. The head-to-head series, which has involved no grass-court encounters, is all tied up at four apiece.

    Santoro has not been in spectacular form in 2009, but he is still a solid 41st in the world, good enough for the No. 4 seed in Eastbourne. The 36-year-old Frenchman owns a modest 7-8 match record at the ATP level this season and he had not won a match since the first round of the Masters Series Miami heading into this week. So far in Eastbourne, however, Santoro has dispatched Americans Robert Kendrick and Robby Ginepri.

    Ljubicic struggled with injuries as well as his form in 2008, so he is ranked a mere 75th in the world. A much more productive 2009 campaign, however, should have the 6'4'' Croat back on the move in the rankings as this season progresses. He has already reached the quarterfinals of three Masters Series events this year. This week he has defeated Andreas Seppi and Joshua Goodall, both in straight sets.

    This one should come down almost entirely to Ljubicic's serve. If he can win a lot of free points, he should advance. But if Santoro is allowed to work his way into points and beguile his opponent with a vast array of shot-making, Ljubicic is in trouble. Count on it going three sets, with Ljubicic's power game winning out in the end.



Tell a friend »

Comments

Pulling for the Magician!! He loves the grass, and I love him. Allez Fabrice!
Also pulling for Tipsy and Tursonov, but I just couldn't post on that story - too heavy comments already on there for me.

Rafterfan , 6/18/09 3:38 PM


What happened to Ljubicic ? I think these guys play too much tennis ... so many injuries.

smr , 6/18/09 5:49 PM



Write comment

You have to be logged in to comment. If you do not have an account, click here to register. It only takes a minute and you'll be redirected back to this page.
Username:

Password:

Other articles related to the tournament

Related articles

ATP Calendar

Date
Tournament
26 Jul
LA Tennis Open

Los Angeles, USA

Draw & Results
Draw
26 Jul
Draw
02 Aug
Legg Mason Tennis Classic

Washington, USA

Follow us

Follow Tennistalk on Facebook Follow Tennistalk on Twitter

Register for newsletter:

Poll

Will Rafael Nadal win the US Open this year?
Yes
No

Poll archive

Articles - Latest commented

Blog - Latest commented

Tell a friend

Your name:

Friend's name:

Friend's email:

Other tennis links