Ivan Dodig slays Ivan Ljubicic to enter round two – Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012
In an all-Croatian battle, Ivan Dodig crushed his compatriot, Ivan Ljubicic, with a bagel at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2012 on Sunday. He jolted down a 6-0, 6-3 success against the former world number three to secure a place in the second round at this
clay court event held in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Monaco.
The 27-year-old Croat stayed on course to bid for his second career title after devastating his fellow citizen in straight sets at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event. As a result, Dodig levelled the FedEx ATP Head
2 Head series by 2-2 against Ljubicic.
Ljubicic, who is currently ranked 53rd in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, on the other hand retired out from the professional tennis after suffering this 71-minute opening round loss.
"I think this is the first time that I'm not happy that I won the match," said the winning Croat in a post-match interview. "I'm happy and proud that I played the match against such a good player who made history, especially for Croatian people, Croatian
tennis. He had always great advice, suggestions. I think I used every word [he said] to become a better player and I have to thank him for this."
The Bosnia-Herzegovina born Dodig thundered into the Monte Carlo Country Club and went on a six-game killing spree. He plucked his entire serves without facing any obstacle and cashed in three out of four break opportunities to pull out the opener with a
bagel.
Dodig kept momentum rolling into the following set and after earning the coveted break in the third game, he took the initial lead. Despite squandering his edge in the very next game, the lower ranked Croat capitalised on another break chance in the seventh
game and clinched the set with a 6-3 score line.
All in all, the Zagreb resident manifested a better first serve share of 51 per cent as compared to Ljubicic’s 40 per cent and superbly clicked 17 out of 21 points on it.
Up next for Dodig is the conqueror of the match between 13th seeded Fernando Verdasco and Belgium’s Olivier Rochus.
Tags: