Ljubicic wins first title in two years in Lyon
LYON, France (Reuters) - Croatian Ivan Ljubicic captured his first ATP title in two years when he dismissed France's Michael Llodra 7-5 6-3 in the final of the Lyon Grand Prix on Sunday.
World number 29 Ljubicic, who was the only non-Frenchman in the quarter-finals, had won his last title at the Den Bosch Open in 2007.
Both players at first proved very strong on their serve, until Llodra collapsed in the 12th game.
Put under huge pressure by Ljubicic's service returns, Llodra volleyed long as the Croatian third seed seized his first opportunity to take the opening set.
A forehand return gave Llodra the early break in the second set, only for his opponent to win five games in a row, taking advantage of the Frenchman's weak second serve.
Ljubicic sealed a straightforward victory on his first match point with a service winner.
(Writing by Julien Pretot in Paris; Editing by Alison Wildey)
