Youzhny returns to Zagreb semifinals

ZAGREB, Croatia, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Defending champion Mikhail Youzhny posted a straight-set win Friday that lifted him into the semifinals of the PBZ Zagreb Indoors tennis tournament in Croatia.

Youzhny, the No. 3 seed, was on the court 64 minutes in a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ivan Dodig. Youzhny won 72 percent of the points on serve and didn't have to deal with a break point. He finished off three of his five break opportunities.

His semifinal opponent will be top-seeded and local favorite Marin Cilic, who defeated Blaz Kavcic 6-3, 7-6 (7-5). Cilic suffered a late second-set break that extended the match but was able to put Kavcic away in the tiebreaker.

No. 4-seeded Jurgen Melzer beat Lukas Rosol 6-4, 6-4. Rosol managed five break chances -- winning one -- but Melzer dropped only 17 points overall when serving.

Also Friday, Robin Haase outlasted Philipp Petzschner 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, winning two-thirds of the points in the final set.

Youzhny has a 5-3 record versus Cilic while Melzer is 3-0 against Haase in previous meetings.