Fri Feb 22 15:05:41 2008

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Dr. Ivo roars into Rotterdam semis

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Rotterdam, Netherlands (Sports Network) - Towering Croat Ivo Karlovic was among Friday's quarterfinal victors at the $1.2 million ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.

"Dr. Ivo" dismantled German qualifier Mischa Zverev 6-3, 6-1 with the help of 15 aces in a brisk 54-minute decision at Ahoy' Stadium.

The 6-foot-10 Karlovic will face improving Frenchman Michael Llodra in Saturday's semifinals, as the doubles specialist Llodra improved to an eye- popping 12-3 in singles this year with a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) victory over Dutch wild card Robin Haase on Day 5. The lefthanded Llodra titled in Adelaide to open his 2008 campaign last month.

Indoor specialist Robin Soderling brushed aside Italian Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-2 on Friday. The Swedish Soderling owns two career titles, both indoors, and is a three-time ATP runner-up, all indoors. He reached the quarterfinals in Marseille, indoors, in his '08 season debut last week.

The 2008 Rotterdam titlist will collect $250,000.