Top two seeds reach Zagreb semi-finals

ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Reuters) Top two seeds Ivan Ljubicic and Marcos Baghdatis today struggled past tough opponents to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Zagreb Open ATP tournament.

Number one seed and defending champion Ljubicic continued his rough ride to the semi-finals by beating Sweden's Thomas Johansson 7-6 6-7 7-6.

After a difficult second round match against Austrian Stefan Koubek, the Croat home favourite had to play almost three hours and three tiebreaks to overcome the aggressive Swede.

Ljubicic will next face fourth seed Mikhail Youzhny of Russia who beat France's Marc Gicquel 7-5 6-2.

Youzhny saved eight break points in the first set but overcame his unseeded French opponent more easily in the second set.

Cypriot Baghdatis sent home Arnaud Clement of France. After winning the first set easily 6-2, the second seed had to play two tiebreaks to remain in the tournament.

His next opponent is Austrian qualifier Alexander Peya who reached his first ATP tour semi-final by beating Frenchman Michael Llodra 6-3 6-3.

Earlier this week, Peya beat third seed Robin Soderling of Sweden.

Reuters SBA VP0335