Dodig and Ljubicic through in Zagreb

Written by: Staff on 4th February 2011

TENNIS: Australian Open - Novak Djokovic vs Ivan Dodig

Dodig and Ljubicic through in Zagreb

Jan. 19, 2011; Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia; Ivan Dodig (CR)) on day three of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-US PRESSWIRE |

It was a good day in the office for both Croatian players in action on Thursday at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors. Both produced wins and moreover, wins with the same score. Ivan Ljubicic defeated German Daniel Brands by 6:2, 6:3 and two hours later Ivan Dodig joined him in the quarterfinals by beating Illya Marchenko from Ukraine by 6:2, 6:3.

“I did not hiave high first serve percentage, but I still enjoyed on the court”, Ljubicic said. He hit 50% of serves in, and won 22 out of 26 points. “Everything went my way today except first serve.”

Ljubicic did not face any break point and had no big problems against 95th ranked opponent. He improved his win-loss record in Zagreb to 16-4 and now has another chance to keep tradition: whenever he went beyond the second round he reached the finals. He was winner in 2006 and beaten finalist in 2007 and 2008.

Dodig played against the same player as last year in the second round here, but this time he was much more succesfull. Croatian player led 6:2, 3:1 before Marchenko found the rhytm but it was not enough to stop Dodig.

This will be the second quarterfinals for Dodig in Zagreb and he will again have to play against Croatian player. In 2009 he lost to Mario Ancic, now he will face Ivan Ljubicic.

Topics: Ivan Dodig, Ivan Ljubicic