Ljubicic Defies Odds To Capture First Title In Two Years

With seven of the eight quarter-finalists French at the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon, it seemed likely the ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament would be celebrating a seventh French winner in its 23-year history. However, Croatian Ivan Ljubicic had not read the script and spoiled the French party Sunday as he defeated wild card Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-3 in the final.

The 30 year old Ljubicic captured his ninth ATP World Tour title and consequently received 250 South African Airways 2009 ATP Ranking points and €103,400, while runner-up Llodra was consoled with 150 Ranking points and €54,300 in prize money.

Ljubicic is the third player aged 30 or over to win an ATP World Tour title this season. The right-hander, who was contesting his first final of the season, joined Radek Stepanek (30), who has won titles at the Brisbane International and the SAP Open in San Jose, and Tommy Haas (31), who triumphed at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle.