Stakhovsky springs surprise

Sergiy Stakhovsky capped a remarkable week by defeating top seed Ivan Ljubicic 7-5 6-4 to win the PBZ Zagreb Indoors tournament.

'Lucky loser' has the last laugh in Zagreb

Sergiy Stakhovsky capped a remarkable week by defeating top seed Ivan Ljubicic 7-5 6-4 to win the PBZ Zagreb Indoors tournament. Stakhovsky, the world number 209, became the first player for 17 years to win an ATP Tour event after gaining a place in the main draw as a lucky loser from the qualifying competition. He took the first set courtesy of a solitary service break at 5-5, and a further break in the ninth game of the second set was all the Ukrainian required to seal his maiden title. "It's like a dream for me and I hope it's the start of a great career," said the 22-year-old, who also knocked out second seed Ivo Karlovic and eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic en route to the final. World number 25 Ljubicic, who won this event in 2006 and was runner up last year, admitted he had been outplayed on the day. "He played phenomenally and didn't give me a chance," said the Croat. "He was the better player."