Stakhovsky Lucky Loser, Ljubicic Loser in ATP Zagreb Final

Posted on March 2, 2008

Ivan Ljubicic's comeback to form was halted in the final of the PBZ Zagreb Indoors when the top seed was stopped 7-5, 6-4 by the Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky, who only gained the field at the beginning of the week as a lucky loser. After losing in the qualifying draw, Stakhovsky gained the main draw when another player withdrew.

Stakhovsky, a 22-year-old from Ukraine, was playing in his first career ATP singles final.

Stakhovsky entered the event ranked No. 209, and is the first lucky loser to win an ATP title since Argentine Christian Miniussi at Sao Paulo on Nov. 10, 1991.

During the week Stakhovsky also defeated No. 2 seed Ivo Karlovic and No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic.

"I definitely surprised myself with my mental side that I could stand over to win the matches," Stakhovsky said. "It wasn't easy, to go when you serve for the match against against Karlovic, or Tipsarevic or any other player, in the far stages of the tournament such as the quarterfinals, semifinals or final. It's really not easy. I am just surprised the way I handled this. For me it was easier because I was the lucky loser and under less pressure than he was because he was in front of the home crowd."

Ljubicic is attempting to regain his Top 10 status after a disappointing 2007.

"Sergiy played unbelievable," Ljubicic said. "Since he lost in qualies, he played some fantastic matches, (against) Karlovic, Tipsarevic, Bolelli and myself and he was just too good. I tried everything and it didn't work. He won his first title and it's great for him but I am also happy with the finals. I am feeling good and hope my form is going to come back more consistently and now with the Masters Series coming up, the last two years I've played well there and hope to play well again."

In the doubles final, top seeds Paul Hanley and Jordan Kerr defeated Christopher Kas and Rogier Wassen 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.