Ivan Ljubicic

Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic dealt a blow to French title hopes on Tuesday at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters as he ousted No. 12 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(2) 6-4 in the second round of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tennis tournament.

Ljubicic, a popular figure with the crowds at the Monte-Carlo Country Club as he resides in Monaco and honed his tennis skills across the border in Italy, has rediscovered his form this week. The 32 year old came into the first European clay-court event of the season on the back of three straight defeats, but has now improved to a 10-7 mark in 2011.

Against Tsonga, Ljubicic rallied from a break down in both sets to claim victory in two hours and nine minutes, and afterwards said, “It's really about staying patient and calm because I was really mad when I lost that first serve in the first set. I was just trying to keep calm, and then wait for my chance. Because on clay it comes, it always comes.

"I practice on this course every day of my life when I'm not at a tournament. It feels special. It relaxes me actually more. I don't feel like it's a normal tournament. I don't feel the tension of the tournament."

Former World No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic got off to a flying start as he defeated Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 6-2. The Croatian converted four of seven break point chances and won 77 per cent of points behind his first serve to claim victory in just 63 minutes. He improved to an 8-7 match record on the season after snapping a four-match losing streak.

Was right the first time - Ljubo officially out of Casablanca despite his back problem not being as bad as first feared.

Ljubo has made a sudden recovery according to local media, apparently the pain in his back has gone away for the time being and regular consultations with his physio have yielded some good news in that the Croat should now be okay for Casablanca next week.

Great news for tourny organisers there.

Ljubo's back injury doesn't look good - he's been suffering lower back problems already this season, but from all reports this one was a lot more serious.

Apparently the Croat was playing a high level of game when the back suddenly tweeked, he immediately (without hesitation) walked straight off the court and was in so much pain that he was unable to lower his body to sit down on the chair.

It's a blow for the old fella who just came off a stellar win in Indian Wells and a huge boost in the rankings - seems destined to fall back down if the injury diagnosis ends up being as bad it's currently feared.

I think Ljubo is one of the most intelegent guys in tennis.
He is far from his best ages,but he knows how to pick events,he knows what he can do,and he knows how to adjust to the conditions.
Many guys just can't do that,and lets say Rodick is the best example.
Its doubtful Ljubo is a better player then him,but for sure he is wiser and more clever.

@st-bookie; you are right - the last time he was in the top 15 dates back to October 2007. He played the Paris Masters as rank 15, then the following rankings release he had slipped about 3 places.

Great effort by the old fella, he's like a horse who gets better with age and racing. Strange to think that he's only ever made 2 Grand Slam quarter finals throughout his career, and that his only SF was actually at the French...

Ivan Ljubicic on new ATP rankings list has reached Nr.13!!
I have dig hard to remember when last time he was in Top15,i think back in 2007.
But i know that exactly 1 year ago he was ranked 78!?!
I remember his words were then, that he will retire very soon if he will be not able to maintain his high level of tennis and beat Top 20 guys.
I'm happy he found his new youth last week!
We all are,aren't we?

Nieminen and Kohlmann progressed in doubles late this evening when Gonzalez and Ljubicic withdrew 2-0 down in the decider in the men's doubles at the AO.

A friend of mine who attended ground pass today was watching the match and said that it was the Croat who succumbed to injury clearly suffering from a thigh injury. Source said that he moved gingerly all throughout the second set, his serve motion and movement towards the net was hampered and didn't look very good at all after shaking hands with the Finn/German combo at the net.

Reason why this is interesting is that he is listed in Zagreb next week, traditionally a tournament he loves other than last year when he lost to Troicki in R2, but his fitness will have to be monitored otherwise could be a good lay there.

Ivan Ljubicic will play at the Kooyong event this week.