Ljubicic sets up Gonzalez clash at semis

　　BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Fourth-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic set up a showcase semifinal against second seed Fernando Gonzalez here at the 475,000 U.S. dollars China Open on Friday.

　　The big-serving Croat needed two hours and 27 minutes to win a thrilling full sets quarterfinal over defending champion Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) and improved his record against the Cypriot to 3-1 lifetime.

　　While Gonzalez battled off a strong comeback in the second set to beat South Korean Lee Hyung-Taik 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4 in a rain-delayed match, which lasted for a whole afternoon due to rain breaks.

　　With excellent placements, baseliner Ljubicic drew first blood at 6-4, but the momentum was switched to Baghdatis' side in the second set when the 22-year-old Cypriot broke Ljubicic's first two serves to go up 3-0. Though the Croat managed to break back in the next game, Baghdatis was never really troubled en route to a 6-4 win.

　　The deciding set turned out to be an even one seeing the two hold serve successfully until the tiebreak.

　　Baghdatis clawed back from 3-0 down to level the match at 3-all, only to witness the Croat reel off the next three points, producing a handful of match points in pocket.

　　The Cypriot's resilience and all-court running helped him save two of them but a return in the net give Ljubicic the gritty victory.

　　Compared with the Croat, Gonzalez was also dragged down to a marathon fight but followed a different path.

　　Thanks to the continuous rain breaks which interrupted at least four times on a gloomy afternoon, the 31-year-old Lee took advantage to fight back from one set and 4-1 down to force a tie-break, making the fierce Chilean punch his racket at the court.

　　Lee, who lost their only meeting at the Athens Games three years ago, continued his solid baseline work and well-placed ground strokes to storm to a 6-2 lead, while a sulky Gonzalez dropped the tie break at 7-5 though he managed to pull back three points consecutively.

　　While the South Korean, who has been enjoying his best form this year and cracked the top 40 for the first time in the rankings, was just unable to keep the consistency, losing the deciding set at 6-4 after a Gonzalez forehand winner.

　　Gonzalez hit eight aces against four from Lee.

　　"It was really tough. We stopped several times during the match. I just went back to the locker room and then came back," said Gonzalez, who has shown what it takes to be an Australian Open runner-up, winning three matches in a row in Beijing.

　　"You didn't know what would happen and when you would go again.

　　"I think I have the chance of winning. I will continue winning the game. Beijing is a nice place and I like it here. I bought mascots and souvenirs to bring me good luck," said a beaming Gonzalez.

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