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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 1, 2009

Tennis: Ljubicic wins Lyon Grand Prix final


Associated Press

LYON, France — Third-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia won his first title in more than two years by beating Michael Llodra of France 7-5, 6-3 in Sunday's Lyon Grand Prix final.

The 30-year-old Ljubicic's previous title came at the Ordina Open in June 2007.

Ljubicic, who won the first of his nine ATP titles in Lyon in 2001, served seven aces and broke his French opponent three times on his way to winning in 1 hour, 36 minutes.

Llodra, who had won their previous meeting in Halle last year, saved two break points in the sixth game of the first set. The left-handed Frenchman began to read his opponent's serve, but still failed to convert break chances in the ninth and 11th games.

Trailing 6-5, Llodra sent a forehand in the net to give up two break points. Ljubicic converted the first when Llodra volleyed wide.

Llodra broke in the first game of the second set with a forehand return down the line, and won his next game serve at love.

The 29-year-old Llodra, one of the few serve-volleyers in the men's game, soon let Ljubicic level at 2-2 after missing two easy volleys.

Ljubicic kept up the pressure and went ahead 4-2 with another passing shot, before closing out the match at love on serve.