Ljubicic's tournament ended by ankle agony

Former world No 3 Ivan Ljubicic limped out of the Eastbourne International yesterday after injuring his ankle in a heavy fall.

Just days before Wimbledon begins, the tall Croatian winced in agony as he was helped off court by a trainer after being forced out of his quarter-final against fourth-seeded Frenchman Fabrice Santoro. Ljubicic, who has dropped to 30th in the world after being troubled by back and hamstring injuries, had won the first set 6-3 and was 2-4 down in the second. Ljubicic's retirement gave Santoro a place in the semi-finals.

He next plays Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic.