|
Ljubicic powers past Moya to win Chennai Open
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-09 09:55
CHENNAI, India, Jan 8 (Reuters) - World number nine and top seed Ivan
Ljubicic dethroned twice champion Carlos Moya of Spain 7-6 6-2 to win the
Chennai Open on Sunday.
The Croat showed no ill effects from his tough three-set semi-final win over
Belgian Kristof Vliegen earlier on Sunday, overpowering crowd favourite Moya in
an engrossing tussle in the southern Indian city.
The first set lasted close to an hour. Trailing 5-6 in the tiebreak, the
26-year-old Ljubicic, who led his country to their maiden Davis Cup title last
year, rifled in two aces to put pressure on the Spaniard who double-faulted to
lose the set.
Moya, forced to come through four gruelling three-setters to reach the final,
was broken in the third and fifth games of the second set.
"He deserved to win today," said former French Open champion Moya, who was
aiming for a hat-trick of titles.
"With these guys you have to take the few chances you have. I didn't take
advantage of that."
Ljubicic was given a wild card entry to replace French Open champion Rafael
Nadal, who withdrew with a foot injury.
"I played my best tennis of the week today," said the Croat, who was on his
first visit to Chennai.
"It has been quite some time since I played two matches in one day. "I think
the morning match helped me to find my rhythm ahead of the final.
"There is no better way than to start the year with a win."
|
