Ivo Karlovic stands alone as the undisputed ace king after surpassing his countryman Goran Ivanisevic’s record at the China Open on Thursday. The 6ft 11 inch Croatian thumped down 26 aces for a career total of 10,247 in his 7-6(5), 7-6(6) loss to Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas In Beijing to jump 10 clear of Ivanisevic’s previous benchmark of 10,237.
“It’s a great feeling,” Karlovic said. “For the past year I knew it was possible and I was hoping that it would be this year. It’s great that it happened here. My serve is my biggest weapon and I always take pride in it. To be able to do this is a great feeling and a great accomplishment.
“I’m not done yet. There are many years in front of me and hopefully that number will go up and up.”
Still with 26 aces, it was not enough to get past the World No. 37; Cuevas progressing to the quarter-finals in one hour and 33 minutes. Cuevas claimed the opening set on his fourth set point 7/5 and soon after Karlovic passed Ivanisevic’s record. The Croat saved two break points at 3-4 down in the second set, which would have given Cuevas the chance to serve it out.
Cuevas brought up match point in the tie-break with a wrong-footing forehand winner in behind Karlovic. He missed long on the return but made no mistake of it on his second chance, passing Karlovic with a forehand winner crosscourt.
Despite the loss, 36-year-old Karlovic remained on track for his best season to date. The No. 2 Croat captured his sixth title at Delray Beach to become the oldest champion since Jimmy Connors, 37, won Tel Aviv in 1989 and posted his best Grand Slam result of the season to reach the Wimbledon fourth round before losing to Andy Murray. He is one of only four players to defeat World No. 1 Novak Djokovic this season.
This, however, is not Karlovic’s only ace record for 2015. In his quarter-final win over Tomas Berdych in Halle, he clocked 45 aces, the most in a best-of-three-set match on record.
* Career ace records began to be kept in 1991. They include aces served in main draw ATP World Tour and Grand Slam matches, and the Olympics from 2008 on. Totals do not include aces served in Davis Cup. Goran Ivanisevic turned pro in 1988, three years before ace records were kept.
Ivo Karlovic’s yearly ace count:
Year Aces Matches Aces Per Match 2015 1252 54 23 2014 1185 64 19 2013 485 28 17 2012 506 30 17 2011 632 36 18 2010 472 25 19 2009 890 43 21 2008 961 54 18 2007 1318 64 21 2006 647 36 18 2005 730 39 19 2004 842 43 20 2003 281 16 18 2002 30 3 10 2001 16 1 16
( Courtesy of the ATP and Original Link – http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/karlovic-becomes-new-ace-king-2015 )
Topics: Atp World Tour, Beijing, China Open, Goran Ivanisevic, Ivo Karlovic, King of Aces, Pablo Cuevas, Sports, Tennis News
BIG-SERVING CROAT @ivokarlovic BEATS ALL TIME ACE RECORD, HE OVERTAKES COUNTRYMAN @OfficialGoran IN ACE COUNT- http://t.co/4HwfW6L7Vg