These two have played twice before. The first meeting was in Zagreb in Jan 2006, Andy had just returned back to Europe after a pretty dire few weeks down under. However, he played a great match and was unlucky to lose in 3 sets. Ljubicic went on to win Zagreb.

They played in rd2 of TMS Madrid in October, Andy won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 and made Ljubicic look pretty ordinary at times.

I reckon that Andy will win in two, judging from the way Ljubicic has played so far this week. Andy beat him in October on his fav surface and now they'll be competing on a surface which suits Andy more.

Ljubicic had easy straight sets wins in rd1 and rd2 over Gremelmayr and El Aynoui but in the quarters he came close to going out against Youzhny. Youzhny totally outplayed him for a set but Ljubicic raised his level to win 2-6, 7-6, 7-6. Youzhny lost his nerve in the breakers and made too many errors. However, Ljubicic got so lucky today against Soderling. Soderling was 5-3 up in the 3rd and had two mps on Ljubicic's serve at 15-40. Soderling had a 2nd serve on the first one but tensed up, didn't do anything with the return and Ljubicic dominated the point before hitting an ace on the 2nd one. Soderling then served for it at 5-4 and was 30-15 up before making 3 unforced errors to hand Ljubicic the break. Soderling was also 3-1 up in the tiebreak before losing his nerve and making ues to let Ljubo back in it.

Ljubicic's serving has really let him down so far this week, the slowness of the surface isn't helping and he's not been getting many first serves in at all. From the baseline he looked pretty ordinary at times against Youzhny and Soderling.

I went for Andy in three. I've not been impressed with Ljubo at all this week and I think if Andy can keep his good serving up then it's his for the taking. My one concern is his habit of following up a great performance with a below par one though. Hopefully it's more like San Jose where he beat Roddick and Hewitt back to back than the USO or Wimbledon though.

C'mon Andy!!

-- Edited by aria81 at 21:36, 2007-01-05

Over the top? Silly? I think you're the one that's being silly. If Andy wins tomorrow, he's nailed on for World number 1 by the end of the year. FACT. Can't see past him for Roland Garros and he should definitely be odds on for Wimbers. If he loses tomorrow, pah forget it the kid's going nowhere.

oop says that it starts at 6pm so that will be 3pm our time.....right?

good luck andy

As said Ljuby didn't look his best against Soderling in his SF. Plus with Andy playing well this week considering those 2 factors I'd say Andy will win in 3.

Should catch it myself.. Fingers crossed for his 2nd singles title.

Nearly time. . .(I need a jumping-up-and-down emoticon)

We're underway, Ljubo serving first