Robredo brings an end to Kiefer's winning run

Tommy Robredo ended Nicolas Kiefer’s run at the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open in the only quarterfinal completed here yesterday. Robredo won 6-4, 6-4.

Intermittent rain played havoc with the order of play on a holiday with Ivan Ljubicic leading Tim Henman after winning the first set 7-5 and tied 4-4 when rain interrupted play late last night.

However, the organisers have decided to complete the Henman-Ljubicic match before they put off the remaining two quarterfinals to today.

Robredo was the only one to escape the persistent rains which have dogged this tournament for the second day in a row.

Tournament officials, led by Ed Hardisty conducted a court inspection at 8.20 pm with an attempt to assure the crowds that play could be conducted, provided it stopped raining.

Ball kids and maintenance staff worked hard to ensure the centre court was dried up with towels and mops. The rain ultimately stopped at 8.50 pm, and play resumed with both players tied 5-5.

Ljubicic, losing finalist to Federer in Rotterdam last week, held his serve and broke Henman in the very next game to take the set 7-5.

The second started on a disjointed note for the Croat as Henman broke him and then held serve to go 2-0 up. But Ljubicic came back for a break in the sixth to square things up 3-3.

Meanwhile, in the only match that was worked out yesterday, fifth seed Robredo shut out Kiefer’s comeback on the tour.

Kiefer, a winner here in 2000, could not match Robredo’s consistency from the baseline. Kiefer, who had upset Australian Open champion Marat Safin in the opening round, could not see his overall game come to his rescue.

In the opening set, Robredo broke Kiefer in the fifth game after the German netted an overhead shot. The Spaniard then held serve to go clear 4-2.

Kiefer had a chance to get closer after he was offered two break points by his Spanish opponent. But the German failed to utilise this opportunity as he netted a return on the first and then Robredo lofted a fine lob to save the second.

As the second set progressed, it was Kiefer who took the upper hand as he broke Robredo with a winning return to go clear 2-0.

And for the second time during an outcast afternoon, the German failed to make the most of the chance as he hit a backhand into the crowd to allow Robredo to break back.

Leading 2-1, Kiefer had another chance going abegging for a break. But the Spaniard saved a break point with a backhand volley. Kiefer’s miseries were further compounded as he played an erratic service game to allow the Spaniard to break him and serve out for the match.

On Court No.1, Jonas Bjorkman and Fabrice Santoro too were left stranded after having won the first set 7-6 and leading 5-4 in the second against Cyril Suk and Pavel Vizner for a place in the doubles semifinals.

Results
Quarterfinals: Tommy Robredo beat Nicolas Kiefer 6-4, 6-4; Ivan Ljubicic leads Tim Henman 7-5, 4-4 (rain halts play).