Ljubicic withdraws from Croatia Open before second-round match
UMAG, Croatia -- Fifth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic withdrew from the second round of the Croatia Open on Thursday because of back pain, allowing Roko Karanusic to reach his first ATP quarterfinals.
Karanusic will play Argentine Maximo Gonzales, who upset second-seeded Ivo Karlovic, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to also reach the first ATP quarterfinals.
Ljubicic sought medical help Wednesday because of back problems.
"My condition is better now, but not enough for me to play," said Ljubicic, who still plans to play at the Beijing Olympics.
Sixth-seeded Guillermo Canas defeated Boris Pashanski of Serbia 6-7 (3), 6-3, 7-5. The Argentine will take on fourth-seeded Igor Andreev of Russia, who beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain, 6-2, 7-6 (3).
Gonzales, ranked 101st in the world, previously had only one victory at a major tournament -- against Karanusic in the first round of the French Open.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
