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5/24/09 3:52 PM | Ricky Dimon
Lleyton Hewitt comes back from two sets down to stun Ivo Karlovic on Day 1 at the French Open. Hewitt, on a collision course for the third round with Rafael Nadal, will next face Andrey Golubev.
It looked like the French Open would get started with a bang when Lleyton Hewitt and Ivo Karlovic were scheduled for the 11 AM match on Court 1, and the two players did not disappoint.
Hewitt may be in the latter stages of his career, but he was up to his old tricks on Sunday afternoon. The former world No. 1 stormed back from two sets down to stun Karlovic 6-7(1), 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-3.
Both men came out in fine form, striking far more winners than unforced errors. Although Karlovic could not secure a break of serve in the first set, he seemed to be in control the whole time. The 6'10'' Croat served at 70 percent, blasted 15 aces, and never came close to getting broken. It was no surprise that Karlovic dominated the ensuing tiebreaker seven points to one.
A 'breaker was also necessary to decide set two, but this time each player broke serve once during the set. Aside from the minor hiccup in one service game, however, Karlovic continued to be devastating on serve. He fired 12 more aces and used his huge first deliveries to control yet another 'breaker. The No. 26 seed took it seven points to four, seizing a two-set advantage.
Never one to go away quietly, Hewitt remained competitive in the third. The veteran Aussie was even more hopeless in the return game, hardly winning any points at all against his opponent's serve, but he took care of his own service games to force another tiebreaker. Hewitt won the decider by two mini-breaks, capitalizing on set point with Karlovic serving down 4-6.
In the fourth frame of play, Hewitt made sure that a tiebreaker would not have to decide things. The world No. 50 struck for his second break of the proceedings at 3-3, finishing off the critical game with a backhand passing shot. Karlovic had an opportunity to get it right back at 3-4, but Hewitt saved one break point and eventually held. A routine service game for Hewitt at 5-4 forced a fifth and final set.
Karlovic had played 10 previous five-set matches and had never won any. Hewitt, meanwhile, had participated in more than 40 five-setters and had come back from two-set deficits five times. Advantage: Hewitt.
Struggling physically, Karlovic saw a trainer in between sets but held in routine fashion for a quick 1-0 lead. That only delayed the inevitable, however, as the world No. 28 double-faulted on break point at 1-1. As Karlovic collapsed, Hewitt got better and better. The two-time Grand Slam champion hit 16 winners and committed just one unforced error in the fifth set. He held easily en route to 5-3 and finished off the match in style with another break. It ended on Hewitt's first match point when Karlovic blasted an overhead well past the baseline.
Next up for Hewitt is Andrey Golubev, a straight-set winner over Denis Gremelmayr. The winner could face four-time defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal in the third round.
Hewitt says he proud of how he hung in during struggle with Karlovic.
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Ricky,
didn't Karlovic break some kind of serving record in this match?
smr , 5/24/09 8:40 PM
It's number of aces per match. Previous record was shared between Karlovic and Y. Johansson - 51 aces (played on hard surface; Johansson lost his match against Agassi when he made it). Now new record for Karlovic - 55 (on clay!), and he also lost. It was probably hot - otherwise I cannot see how he could make so many aces on supposedly 'soft' clay.
HogarTheHorrible , 5/25/09 12:19 PM
Thanks HtheH. Amazing that someone could have 55 aces and still lose. I know that that is Karlovic's game but still ... Hewitt played well.
smr , 5/25/09 12:55 PM
Hewitt reminds everyone again that regardless of his age, hip issues, whatever, you still have to try your utmost againts him. Well done Lleyton, a great effort and well deserved win. Coming out victorious against a barage of 55 aces is no small feat. If he makes it past round 2, the raging bull will likely be in waiting.
remi , 5/25/09 2:49 PM
it was blazing hot, which helped Karlovic
someone hit 58 aces in a match prior to the Open Era (1968)
RickyDimon , 5/25/09 3:19 PM
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All the experts say that clay lessens the impact of a big server and this match is proof. 55 aces and he still lost! WTG Hewitt for hanging in there and pulling it out!
fan4tennis , 5/24/09 6:44 PM