Ivanisevic manages to hold nerve

Goran Ivanisevic survived a bizarre attack of nerves to overcome the unseeded Austrian Gilbert Schaller 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 and reach the semi- finals of the Monte Carlo Open yesterday.

The Croat was serving for the match at 5-2 before double-faulting four times in succession and then failed to win a single point against Schaller's serve.

Another double-fault on break point in his next service game sparked a tantrum from Ivanisevic as Schaller fought back to 5-5. Ivanisevic finally took the set 7-5 and now meets Boris Becker, who beat the Dutchman Richard Krajicek, 6-2, 7-5.