Karlovic becomes oldest ATP winner since 1989
Print Edition
CROATIA’S Ivo Karlovic became the oldest ATP winner since Jimmy Connors in 1989 when he captured the Delray Beach Open final on Sunday.
The 35-year-old used his prodigious serve to break American opponent Donald Young three times for a 6-3, 6-3 victory on the Florida hardcourt. Karlovic, who turns 36 on February 28, is the oldest winner since Connors won in Tel Aviv at the age of 37, according to the ATP.
It is Karlovic’s sixth career title and it keeps the event in Croatian hands following last year’s victory by Marin Cilic, who later in the season won the US Open.
“It is really satisfying. At my age to do this is an unbelievable feeling and this gives me a boost of confidence to go into other events,” Karlovic told reporters after beating Young in 69 minutes.
Karlovic does not know how long he can continue at such a high level, but says he is as fit as when he was in his late 20s. “I am healthy,” he said. “I feel fast, strong. I don’t know how many more years I can do this but for now I am feeling good. In all the tests I am like eight years ago.”
The 2.10-meter Croat used his height to pound 91 aces for the tournament and remain unbroken in 56 service games, though he came closest to dropping serve when he was down 0-40 in the eighth game of the first set against Young.
“I was able to get out of it. I was also a little bit lucky,” he said. “After that game I knew it would be easier because that game I did a lot of double faults and I was able to get out of it.”
In Brazil, Spain’s David Ferrer stormed to the ATP Rio Open title on Sunday, battering Italian Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-3 in a one-sided final. Fognini had edged out titleholder and clay king Rafael Nadal in his semifinal 24 hours earlier but had no answer to Ferrer as the second seed sped past him in one hour and 23 minutes.
Ferrer added his second title of the season after Doha last month to keep the Rio crown in Spanish hands after Nadal’s success in the inaugural event last year. “It’s been a very special week for me,” said Ferrer after taking his series with Fognini, the Australian Open doubles champion, to a perfect 8-0.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
