Veteran Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, who has faced just two break points in four matches this week, powered into the Lyon final with another crushing serving performance Saturday at the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon, an ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament.

For the second consecutive match Ljubicic did not face a break point in his 6-2, 6-4 win over Frenchman Arnaud Clement as the former World No. 3 closed on his first ATP World Tour title in more than two years. Ljubicic, who did not face a break point in his quarter-final win over Florent Serra, dropped serve for the only time this week in the second round, when German Nicolas Kiefer converted the lone break point chance he earned. In the first round Ljubicic saved the one and only break point he faced against Martin Vassallo Arguello.

"For sure it was a more simple match than I expected," said Ljubicic. "I was able to break in his first service game and then things became easier for me. I had less pressure and was able to control the points."

"I don't think I was tired today," reflected Clement. "Of course, I had a long match last night against Tsonga, and maybe it made a small difference, but I felt good on the court today. I think that Ivan played a very, very good match. He was too good today, and I think he's playing at a very high level.

"Still, I'm really happy with the past few weeks. No matter what happens between now and the end of the season, I will have a very positive outlook on my season, which is motivating for next year."

Ljubicic continues to spoil the party for France, which had seven of the eight quarter-finalists but may finish the tournament with a foreign champion. The 30-year-old, who won the first of his eight ATP World Tour titles in Lyon in 2001, has advanced to his first ATP World Tour final since February 2008 in Zagreb (l. to Stakhovsky). His last title came in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in June 2007 (d. Wessels). He is 8-12 lifetime in ATP World Tour finals.

Ljubicic next faces wild card Michael Llodra, who upset second-seeded Gilles Simon 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(1) in an all-French semi-final. In a strong serving display, World No. 107 Llodra struck 24 aces and did not face a single break point throughout the one-hour, 47-minute encounter.

"I feel like my serve is working very well, and also my volleying as well," said Llodra. "I'm trying to put a lot of pressure on my opponents, and taking away the rhythm. I know that when I'm playing well and feeling fit, I can be very dangerous on this kind of surface and tough to play against."

"It's going to be a tough match tomorrow," said Ljubicic. "He will have the home crowd and will be pumped up. I think it's a 50-50 chance. It's going to be a couple of points here and there. It's difficult to predict this kind of match."

The 29-year-old Llodra is through to his second ATP World Tour final of the season, after finishing runner-up to countryman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Open 13 final in Marseille in February. He has a 3-3 record in ATP World Tour finals, but is looking for his first success on home soil.

Llodra, a native of Paris, is looking to follow in the footsteps of Richard Gasquet (2006) and Sebastien Grosjean (2007) by becoming the third French winner in four years in Lyon. Partnering Andy Ram, he won the doubles title last year.

Simon was looking to boost his chances of qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and could have added 60 points to his tally by reaching the final. The 24 year old, who reached the semi-finals at the season finale last year, is chasing one of the two remaining singles berths. He is currently 13th in the year-to-date South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings.