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 »  Home  »  Sports  »  (E) Karlovic downs another Aussie in second round
(E) Karlovic downs another Aussie in second round
By Nenad N. Bach | Published  06/25/2003 | Sports | Unrated
(E) Karlovic downs another Aussie in second round

 

Karlovic downs another Aussie in second round

Croatia's Ivo Karlovic casts a long shadow in the late eveningsun as he serves during his second round match against Australia's PaulBaccanello at the Wimbledon (news- websites) Tennis Championships in London, June 25, 2003. Karlovic won the match6-4 7-6 5-7 6-2. REUTERS/Russell Boyce

Lofty Croatian Ivo Karlovic claimed a second Australianscalp at Wimbledon on Wednesday but his 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 defeat of PaulBaccanello sparked rather less furore.

The 2.08-metre qualifier, who made Wimbledon history bydispatching defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the first round on Monday,earned the applause of a tightly packed crowd squashed on to benches round courtnumber 14.

His earlier triumph had taken centre stage on CentreCourt in front of the royal box and been beamed to screens round the world.

On Wednesday spectators had to balance on dustbins behindthe hand-scoreboard for a glimpse of the giant-killer.

But Karlovic, apparently unfazed, used much the sametactics against Baccanello, also a qualifier ranked 204 in the world, as he hadagainst the number one seed.

He thumped down 29 aces in the two hour 35 minute matchand had his opponent squawking in frustration as serve upon unreturnable servepinged skywards off Baccanello's racket frame.

Karlovic, whose sudden fame - and unexpected wage packet- allowed him to move this week to a swanky hotel, began the match with an aceand won the first set with an ace.

Baccanello, buoyed by raucous support from a handful ofcompatriots yelling "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie," managed to find a waythrough the barrage only in the third set when the Croatian, who says hisbiggest problem is moving and bending on court, began to tire.

But he found a second wind in the fourth, earning athird-round spot in his first grand slam tournament.

Hewitt was the first defending Wimbledon champion sincetennis went professional in 1968 to lose in the first round.

Karlovic now moves to a meeting with 43rd-ranked MaxMirnyi of Belarus in the third round.

In other second round matches overnight, Andy Roddickdefeated Briton's Greg Rusedski in a bad-tempered centre-court showdown, winning7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1), 7-5 win in just over two hours.

Men's fourth seed, Roger Federer, overcame Austria'sStefan Koubek 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 and American Todd Martin beat three times formerFrench Open champion Brazillian Gustavo Kuerten 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In the women's draw, Lindsay Davenport eased into thethird round of Wimbledon, by overcoming spirited Italian Rita Grande in straightsets, 6-3, 6-1.

The 28-year-old Grande began confidently, moving muchmore quickly around the court than her opponent, who's been blighted by injuryin recent months.

But the three-times grand slam winner demonstrated whyshe remains the world number five, hitting 36 precision winners in the 52-minutematch.

Venus Williams, also swept into the third round, with a6-4, 6-1 victory over Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik.

IVO'SDAD FEARS HE COULD JINX GIANT STAR

Jun 25 2003

EXCLUSIVE

By Mark Ellis

THE dad of Wimbledon giant-slayer Ivo Karlovic fears he would jinx his son if he flew to London to watch him play. Proud Vlado, 55, said yesterday that he is so superstitious it might be better for him to stay at home in Croatia.

But the jobless physics professor, who huddled round a TV with his family to see Ivo triumph over Lleyton Hewitt, could not hide his delight. He said: "It was amazing. While we knew he might have a chance, because he told us before hand that he thought he had, it was incredible." Since then, he says, the family have been bombarded by well-wishers at their modest Zagreb flat. He added: "It's unbelievable how many people suddenly want to know about my son." Neighbours have dubbed Ivo King Karlo, he said.

Vlado went on: "I'm not much of a tennis player but when Ivo defeated me at the age of seven I knew that he had some talent. "He loved to play with his sister Anna. They would hit those balls around for hours. She was always patient with him, he was always impulsive.

"He fell in love with the game at an early age and as soon as I could I got him in a tennis club."

Unfortunately for Hewitt, the 6ft 10 inch star chose to concentrate on tennis despite being approached to join the Croatian Under-14 basketball team.

Vlado told how Goran Ivanisevic became his son's tennis idol and they went on to be friends. Goran also reportedly paid for speech therapy for Ivo, who had a bad stutter. Ivo's only sadness is that he has to spend to so much time away from medical student girlfriend Martina Lukacevic. The pair, who met three years ago, spend as long as possible together when Ivo is not on the circuit. Meanwhile Vlado, Ivo's mum Gordana and Anna, 25, are getting ready for his second round clash against Australian Paul Baccanello.

Vlado said: "We've spoken to Ivo and he's focused. My son thinks it will be a tough and very even match."

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