Ivanisevic Reaches Final After Another Classic Against Rafter

Added on: December 5, 2010

Goran Ivanisevic squeezed through a classic encounter with Pat Rafter, winning 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 10-8 to reach the final of the AEGON Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The Croatian will meet Todd Martin in the final after the American overcame Britain’s Tim Henman 7-6(1), 6-3 to book his place in Sunday’s decider.

Ivanisevic and Rafter rolled back the years, serving and volleying acrobatically to the delight of the crowd in London. Rafter even made one diving volley which brought Ivanisevic to his knees in disbelief. When the Australian took the first set, he looked the more convincing of the two players, but Ivanisevic kept serving away and eventually levelled. In the deciding set Champions’ Tie-Break, Ivanisevic took a 9-6 lead, and eventually held on to win it 10-8.

The victory prompted the quote of the week from Ivanisevic.

“I saw Pat eating a banana sandwich before the match. There’s no way I’m losing to a guy who eats banana sandwiches,” said the Croatian.

Earlier, Martin played beautifully to see off fellow debutant Henman.

“Things really clicked for me in the first set Tie-Break,” said the 40-year-old Martin afterwards. “I think it’s a matter of getting used to your surroundings, but being in the semifinals, on a court like this, in front of all these people, it inspires an old man to do something!”

Martin, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, thrived against the home favourite, with an exceptional display of aggressive tennis at the Royal Albert Hall.

Henman went into the match full of confidence after his impressive win over South African Airways Rankings leader Thomas Enqvist on Friday, but it was the American who took the early advantage. He capitalised on a double-fault with Henman serving for the set at 5-3, broke back and forced a Tie-Break.

Martin then changed gears, forcing Henman on the defensive as he attacked the net to take the Tie-Break 7-1. With the first set behind him the American grew in stature and resolve. After recovering two break points against his serve in the seventh game, Martin hit back, breaking Henman to take a 5-3 lead and with it a chance to serve for the match. A capacity London crowd urged Henman on for one last push, but it wasn’t to be, as Martin continued to stay positive and clinch a place in Sunday’s final.

“The first set was obviously very important,” said Henman. “Todd told me afterwards that it was the best Tie-Break he’s ever played. He’s a great player and he’ll have a good chance in the final tomorrow.”

It was the first time Henman and Martin had met since 2003 on the ATP World Tour, with Henman leading their head-to-head 5-3.

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