Former champion Ivan Ljubicic plays qualifier Igor Sijsling in what looks set to be a close quarter-final in Metz.
2005 Metz champion Ljubicic used his experience to see off big serving French qualifier Nicolas Renavand in the second round. Ljubicic bombed down 13 aces and won 84% of his first serve points on his way to a 7-5, 7-5 win.
Ljubicic may not have been in the best of form coming into the tournament but it’s seen a remarkable transformation in Holland’s Igor Sijsling. The Dutchman had not won a tour level match all year coming into the event but he won through qualifying and he stunned seventh seed and former finalist Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 7-5 to make the first ATP quarter-final of his career.
One break in each set was all the big serving Sijsling needed and it’s hard to argue with his serving stats, 90% of first serve points won.
If he produces that again, Ljubicic will need all his experience on Friday afternoon and try to nick the match in the tiebreaks.
Prediction: Ljubicic in three.
