Tim Henman paid the penalty for losing two tie-breaks in a rain-interrupted semi-final against Ivan Ljubicic in the Qatar Open, losing 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 7-6 (7/5).

The shaven-headed Croat caused Henman a number of problems with his big serve, but it was a collapse in the second of two tie-breaks which cost the British No 1from Oxfordshire

The first set was a tight affair as games went with serve until Henman managed to break in the 11th to take a 6-5 lead.

But he could not hold on to the advantage and was immediately broken back. The 6ft 4in Ljubicic then maintained the momentum to take the tie-break 7-2.

Henman - a Doha finalist in 1997 and 1999 - responded by holding serve in the first game of the second set before play was suspended for ten minutes due to rain.

The break appeared to do him good as he returned to take the next two games and move into a 3-0 lead. He then held serve comfortably to take the set

Henman was presented with a chance to take a 5-4 lead in the third set, but the Briton squandered three break points and the Bosnian-born 24-year-old recovered.

Ljubicic also missed an opening to win the match when, with the scores 6-5 in his favour, he took a 0-30 lead against Henman's serve.

But Henman, backed by an enthusiastic contingent of ex-pats, battled back to take the match to another tie-break.

And he seemed set for victory when he went 5-2 in front. But Ljubicic won the next five points to secure a final against Nicolas Escude.

The Frenchman beat Argentina's Agustin Calleri 6-2 6-3 in the other semi-final.