Youzhny, Berrer toil in Zagreb
02/03/2012 11:37:47 PM
Third seed Mikhail Youzhny needed almost three hours to topple Croatian Ivo Karlovic at the Zagreb Indoors on Friday.
Russian Youzhny overcame 22 aces from Karlovic to edge the local hope 7-6 (10-8) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in two hours and 42 minutes.
The win saw Youzhny reach the semi-finals of the ATP 250 event in the Croatian capital, where he will meet Germany's Michael Berrer.
"It was a very close match, very tough match for both," Youzhny said afterwards.
"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."
Berrer fought back from a set down to rally past Austria's Juergen Melzer 5-7 6-4 6-4 in just over two hours.
Slovakian Lukas Lacko continued his good form with a 6-4 6-4 win over Dutchman Robin Haase.
World number 97 Lacko, a third-round loser to Rafael Nadal in last month's Australian Open, will face Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus for a place in the final.
World No.45 Baghdatis defeated another home favourite, reigning champion Ivan Dodig, 6-4 7-5 to stay on track for his fifth ATP Tour title.