Mikhail Youzhny outplays Ivo Karlovic in the quarter-finals – PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012
Third seed, Mikhail Youzhny, rallied past the crowd favourite, Ivo Karlovic, in a three set nail biter at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors 2012, an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World
Tour 250 series event held on the hard courts after the Australian Open. He penned down a 7-6(10), 3-6, 7-6(6) victory over the world number 46 to secure a place in the final four on Friday.
Facing each other after their three setter encounter at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open last month, Youzhny not only maintained his winning record but also improved to a 3-0 FedEx ATP Head2Head
record against the Croat.
"It was a very close match, very tough match for both," the Russian was quoted after the match. "I think I was a bit lucky. When you win in two tie-break sets, two points difference, you
have to have to have luck on your side."
Facing a pessimist crowd, Youzhny tensely entered the Dom Sportova and gifted away his serve in the fifth game to trail at 2-3. However, he recovered in the tenth game and took the set to
a tie-breaker after staying focused in the remaining set. The Russian prevailed in it and subsequently slide in the opener with a 7-6(10) success.
The eighth seed, Karlovic, sought his momentum in the following set. He maintained consistency in his game and cashed in the only break opportunity in the eighth game to clinch the equaliser
with a 6-3 score line.
Both seeded stars improved their game in the final set. Youzhny found three break chances but failed to convert any to his advantage. On the other hand, he kept entire serves without facing
any hindrance and took the set to a tie-breaker. The match could go in any direction but the higher ranked, Youzhny, edged past the local star after dominating in it.
The Russian took two hours and 42 minutes to overpower Karlovic. He spilled more errors, lost his serve twice and clobbered a poor first share of 67 percent as compared to then Croat’s 83
percent and hit fewer aces. However, Youzhny spectacularly clicked 57 out of 76 points on it and pocketed the match with a single break of serve.
Up next for the third seed is the German booming star, Michael Berrer, who upset the Austrian number one, Jurgen Melzer, in three sets to set-up this date. Berrer lost the opener but rebounded
with a fitting reply, ultimately sealing the match with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 score line.
"It was a very close match, very tough match for both," said the Russian. "I think I was a bit lucky. When you win in two tie-break sets, two points difference, you have to have to have luck on your side."
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