Ivo Karlovic

Karlovic after losing to Ryan Sweeting

"I had trouble with allergies today and I was not at my best," Karlovic admitted after the match. "I could not breathe properly and I felt worse and worse as the match progressed. But all in all it was a good week. Ryan played really well and i wish him all the best in the final."

Qualifier and 2007 titlist Ivo Karlovic saved two match points in the tense third set tie-break to beat fourth seed John Isner 7-6(2), 6-7(2), 7-6(9) Friday for a place in the US Men's Clay Court Championship semi-finals. In the battle between the two tallest players on the ATP World Tour, there were just two breaks of serve in the match - in back-to-back games at 5-all and 5-6 in the second set - but Karlovic was forced to fight off 10 other break point chances on his serve. Isner, who fired 23 aces, faced only one break point in the match.

Karlovic hit 24 aces en route to victory in three hours and 16 minutes. The 6' 10" Croatian has now hit 44 aces for the tournament, which is 16 aces shy of the all-time tournament record set by Pete Sampras in 2002. Karlovic also hit 50 aces in three qualifying matches earlier in the week.

It was just the fourth match at the ATP World Tour 250 clay-court tournament (since 1988) to have all three sets decided in a tie-break. The others include, 1995 - Magnus Larsson defeating Jared Palmer; 2000 - Martin Rodriguez beating Lorenzo Manta; and last year when Xavier Malisse edged Isner.

Karlovic led 5-2 in the third set tie-break and squandered two match points at 6-4. Isner saw two of his own match points go the way of Karlovic at 7-6 and 9-8. It was the pair's third ATP World Tour tournament meeting.

World No. 174 Karlovic advanced to his first semi-final since February 2010 at Delray Beach, where he reached the final. Isner, who hit 23 aces and won 76 per cent of service points, drops to an 8-8 season record.

Ivo Karlovic, who famously fired a 156 mph world record-setting serve in March, will bring his big serving game to Newport, Rhode Island this summer to compete in the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. Karlovic has been awarded a wild card for the tournament, which will be hosted July 4 - 10, 2011 on the grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Also scheduled to compete are defending champion and No. 1 American Mardy Fish and rising star young American Ryan Harrison.

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At 6 feet, 10 inches tall, Karlovic is the tallest player on the ATP World Tour, and he has used his height to his advantage to develop tricky angles on his extraordinarily fast, powerful serve that has been regarded as the best in tennis by Roger Federer and "the scariest weapon in tennis" by fellow big server Andy Roddick. At a Davis Cup match between Croatia and Germany on March 5, 2011 Karlovic recorded at 156 mph serve, which is the fastest serve in history. It topped a 155 mph serve hit by Andy Roddick during the Davis Cup semifinals in 2004.

At the US Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston this week, Karlovic, a past champion at the event, qualified for a main draw spot and went on to upset the tournament's No. 5 seed, Benjamin Becker. During qualifying rounds, Karlovic fired 50 aces in three matches, including 29 during his second round match, which would have been a tournament record had it occurred during a main draw match. On Friday, Karlovic will meet world No. 29 John Isner in the quarterfinals - a match up that is drawing particular attention due to the players' extraordinary heights - Isner is 6'9" and Karlovic is 6'10".

"With his incredible power, Ivo is an exciting player to watch, and I know the fans in Newport will enjoy seeing him compete," said Tournament Director Mark L. Stenning. "It's been great to see him make a comeback after his injury, and we're pleased to welcome him to Newport this summer."

Karlovic returned to tournament competition in January after an Achilles injury forced him to stop playing in May of last year. In his comeback tournament this year, Karlovic made it to the quarterfinals at Doha. At Indian Wells, he defeated three top-50 players before falling to Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals in an intense three set match with a score of 7-5, 1-6, 6-7(7).

Last season, Karlovic finished in the Top 75 for the seventh time in past eight years, despite missing the last six months of the season. Prior to having to stop playing, he compiled a 13-5 record, reaching quarterfinals in Doha, Zagreb and Memphis, along with the final in Delray Beach. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, Karlovic finished the season in the Top 40. He reached a career high No. 14 in 2008.

Karlovic is a four-time singles champion on the ATP World Tour, and he was a member of Croatia's championship Davis Cup team in 2005.

The Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships immediately follows Wimbledon and draws 32 top ATP World Tour players and to compete on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It is the only grass court pro tournament in North America.

Tickets for tournament are on sale now. Members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame save 30% on all tickets for Monday - Thursday sessions. To purchase tickets or learn more about the tournament or Hall of Fame membership, visit tennisfame.com or call 401-849-6053 or 866-914-FAME (3263).

A highlight of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships will be the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, July 9 at 12:00 p.m., prior to the tournament's semifinal matches. The one and only Andre Agassi, former world No. 1, eight-time grand slam champion, and one of the most revered athletes in history is the sole inductee in the Recent Player Category. In the Contributor Category, Peachy Kellmeyer, who was the very first employee and director of the WTA in 1973 and still serves the organization today, will be inducted for her immense contributions in the development of women's tennis. Additionally, a variety of special events including Family Weekend, free tennis lessons, and the Angela Moore Fashion Show will complement another exciting week of ATP World Tour tennis.

Ivo Karlovic posted his ninth straight match win at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship, including his three qualifying matches this past week, by defeating Igor Kunitsyn 6-4, 6-1 in second round action Wednesday in Houston.

Though Karlovic lost serve early in the 66-minute match, he converted on four of nine break points and fired 12 aces to claim the victory.

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Karlovic is making his first appearance at this ATP World Tour 250 tournament since winning the title in 2007. The former World No. 14, who is making his comeback from an Achilles injury and is currently ranked No. 174, is the first qualifier to reach the quarter-finals since Mariano Zabaleta’s runner-up effort in 2007.

Ivo Karlovic will be hoping that history repeats itself this week at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship. The 6’10” Croatian defeated Benjamin Becker in their first-round match four years ago en route to the title at this ATP World Tour 250 tournament, and once again opened with a victory over the German on Tuesday in Houston.

After edging a tight first set, Karlovic broke for a 2-1 lead in the second set and held on for a 7-6(5), 6-4 win to improve to a 6-0 mark against Becker. Both players were making their first appearances in Houston since 2007.

Karlovic had come through the qualifying rounds this past weekend, after an Achilles injury last season had caused him to drop outside the Top 100 of the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings.

He fired a total of 50 aces in three rounds of qualifying, which would have ranked as the third-highest total for the event (since 1990). His 29 aces against Jose Acasuso on Sunday would’ve been a tournament record had it not come in a qualifying match.

“It was different conditions today. It was less humid, so in the beginning I had to adjust a little bit, but all in all it was good,” said Karlovic. “I’m satisfied with the way I’m playing.”

Karlovic defeated Acasuso 7-6 6-7 6-1, and fired 29 aces on clay.

Ivo Karlovic on twitter: Practiced on clay this morning. Felt like I was skating on ice. And the skates broke.

From AAP:

Ivo Karlovic has withdrawn from Wimbledon with a foot injury.
The big-serving Croatian, who reached the quarterfinals last year, had been seeded No.25 for the grand slam tournament beginning Monday.
The 2.08 m Karlovic has been bothered for months by an Achilles' tendon injury in his right foot and also missed the French Open.
With his withdrawal Thursday, Romania's Victor Hanescu was elevated one spot into the seedings at No.32.
The draw will be held on Friday.

Karlovic is a streaky player, blows hot and cold always has done.

Karlovic @75,00 Betfair is huge value bet for trading!!! As I can see, draw is quite comfortable for him and I'm pretty convinced that he can meke quarter finals!!! This is my advice...