Haarhuis pounced when Ivanisevic's big serve let him down

The Dutchman clinched the first set, after taking the tie-break 7-4, only for Ivanisevic to win the second set.

The match then went to a championship tie-break and Haarhuis took advantage of a double-fault to level at 5-5 before going on to win 10-7.

The 40-year-old Haarhuis has only won this event on the Champions Tour and said: "I must peak at the right time."

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Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion, had beaten his rival three times in previous tour meetings, including a group match earlier in the week.

How many tickets are you going to sell because Paul Haarhuis is coming to the Royal Albert Hall? Paul Haarhuis

"We had two good matches this week and I won the wrong one," said the 35-year-old Croatian.

"I had chances in the first set tie-break but these tie-breaks are tough. One or two points and everything changes.

"But it was a good match. He played good and I've had a great week at the Royal Albert Hall. It's a beautiful place to play tennis and it's difficult not to play well in these surroundings."

Haarhuis, who was a doubles specialist in his prime, is unsure if he will get an invitation to chase a third win in the event because of his relatively low profile compared to some of the tournament's more illustrious names.

606 COMMENT: Give your thoughts on Haarhuis' victory

"I think I'm going to have to qualify because I don't think they're going to invite me again," he said.

"I'm not the biggest name and in that respect I understand that for selling tickets they want John McEnroe, Goran and those guys to win.

"How many tickets are you going to sell because Paul Haarhuis is coming to the Royal Albert Hall?"