By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Ivo Karlovic cracked an Australian Open-record 75 aces fighting back from two sets down for a 6-7 (8), 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 22-20 win over Horacio Zeballos.
Photo credit: @AustralianOpen
Photo credit: @Australian Open
On a sweltering Melbourne day, Ivo Karlovic showed terminal cases can sometimes be revived with miracle measures.
In an epic fight back from two sets down, the 37-year-old Karlovic pulled off a comeback for the ages rallying for a historic 6-7 (8), 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 22-20 win over Horacio Zeballos.
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“It was real difficult match,” Karlovic said. “It was also difficult mentally because I was down 2-0. I had to also fight against him and against my own head, you know. So it was definitely really difficult.”
Karlovic cracked an Australian Open-record 75 aces and broke in the final game of the longest fifth-set since the tournament adopted tie breakers.
"Actually I was thinking about that other (Wimbledon) match Isner against Mahut," Karlovic said. "I was hoping little bit it could go this long so I could also have record. This is also good like this."
The long day’s journey into night began beneath bright, hot sunshine and ended five hours, 14 minutes later with Karlovic using his finesse to carve out the final break and arrive in the Australian Open second round.
Watch Karlovic flick a beautiful backhand topspin lob to convert his second match point and complete a classic comeback. Match point—and Karlovic's spirited victory celebration—is at 5:53 of the video:
Surviving the five-hour stress-test fueled by Gatorade, water and an unquenchable spirit, Karlovic dropped serve just once in the match.
The ATP ace leader hit 38 of his 75 aces in the final set.
“I mean, I began really bad,” Karlovic said. “I didn't really feel good on the court. As the match was going on, it was little bit less hot also. So that kind of also gave me opportunity to be more, how you say, not tired. I was just trying to hang in there, just point by point.”
On this day, the man called Dr. Ivo was doctor defiant.
Remarkably, Karlovic was still bouncing on his feet behind the baseline after more than five hours of drama in suppressive, sauna-like conditions.
A depleted Karlovic showed class in the aftermath high-fiving fans who cheered him on and stopping to sign autographs before departing for an ice bath and extended rest.
In the punishing world of Grand Slam tennis, Karlovic will try to recover in time for second-round Australian opponent Andrew Whittington.
"I don't know how I will recover, Karlovic said. "I will have two days now. Tomorrow off. I will not even hit. I'm just going to do the ice bath, try to hit good, go to sleep early. Hopefully that will be enough."
Some struggles stay with you forever. Karlovic said this epic is an eternal memory.
“This is what I will, after my career, remember,” Karlovic said afterward. “If it was easy match or I lost easy, I wouldn't remember. But this one definitely I will remember forever.”
An appreciation for life on the pro circuit and an appetite for competing keep Karlovic inspired.
“I think it's a good thing that I'm still here. I realize this is unbelievable life that I have,” Karlovic said. “I really love traveling. I love winning. It's an unbelievable life. I'm hoping that it will not end soon, that I will still have—I mean, playing tennis, that it will not end soon.
“I mean, as long as I will not have any other injuries, and while my ranking is up here, I will continue definitely.”