08.02.2013.
Cilic won in straight sets again, Youzhny defeated Dodig
Clash of two former champions was won by Mikhail Youzhny, but on Saturday he will play against another one! Third-seeded Russian, defending champion at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors, defeated Croat Ivan Dodig in the quarterfinals by 6:3, 6:2 and his next opponent will be another Croat Marin Cilic, who prevailed by 6:3, 7:6 (5) against Blaz Kavcic from Slovenia.
Cilic, Zagreb titleist in 2009 and 2010, played very well in the first set of the semifinals and his opponent gave him credit at the post-match press conference.
„If he keeps on playing like that there is no doubt who will win the title“, Kavcic said.
Cilic served for the match at 5:4 in the second set, but Kavcic recovered and reached the tie break. Slovenian player led 5-3 but Cilic then won four points in a row.
„I did not serve as good as day before and Kavcic was able to break when I served for the match. It was good that match did not go to the third set“, Cilic said.
Top-ranked Croat will play against Youzhny on Saturday, with Russian having advantage in head-to-head series. Youzhny leads 5-3, but it was Cilic who won last two encounters.
„It was good match for me. I like to play in Zagreb, enjoy the atmosphere, have some good friends here“, Youzhny said after defeating Dodig.
It was his seventh consecutive singles win here.
„His game was so deadly effective today. It was one of the days when opponent plays so well and fulfill everythinghe aims for. He surprised me how well he served. His serve is fine, but not a big weapon like it was today“, Dodig said.
Cilic, Zagreb titleist in 2009 and 2010, played very well in the first set of the semifinals and his opponent gave him credit at the post-match press conference.
„If he keeps on playing like that there is no doubt who will win the title“, Kavcic said.
Cilic served for the match at 5:4 in the second set, but Kavcic recovered and reached the tie break. Slovenian player led 5-3 but Cilic then won four points in a row.
„I did not serve as good as day before and Kavcic was able to break when I served for the match. It was good that match did not go to the third set“, Cilic said.
Top-ranked Croat will play against Youzhny on Saturday, with Russian having advantage in head-to-head series. Youzhny leads 5-3, but it was Cilic who won last two encounters.
„It was good match for me. I like to play in Zagreb, enjoy the atmosphere, have some good friends here“, Youzhny said after defeating Dodig.
It was his seventh consecutive singles win here.
„His game was so deadly effective today. It was one of the days when opponent plays so well and fulfill everythinghe aims for. He surprised me how well he served. His serve is fine, but not a big weapon like it was today“, Dodig said.