Almost 40 and not tired: Ivo Karlovic set a new record this weekend with his victory at the Challenger tournament in Calgary/Canada!
Dr. Ivo can’t help it: At the 75,000 US dollar event in Canada the Croatian won the title – 7:6 (3), 6:3 he beat the top seeded Jordan Thompson on Sunday and won his eighth title on Challenger Tour (next to nine on the ATP Tour).
Karlovic thus replaced Dick Norman as the oldest winner of a Challenger: The Belgian had triumphed in Mexico City in 2009 with 38 years and 1 month, Karlovic is currently 39 years and 7 months. Already in the previous week he had set the record “Eldest Final Participant” with his entry into the final in Monterrey – and exceeded it a week later himself.
The outside conditions in Calgary couldn’t have been better for the service King: Fast Plexipave court at 1,048 meters altitude – perfect conditions for the 2.11 meter tall Karlovic. Especially since he was there at the crucial moments. A look at the results: 7:6 (5), 6:7 (6), 7:6 (3) in round one, 7:6 (4), 4:6, 6:3 in the quarter-finals, 7:6 (4), 4:6, 7:6 (4) in the quarter-finals, 7:6 (3), 7:6 (2) in the semi-finals – and finally 7:6 (3), 6:3 in the final. In other words: nine tiebreaks played, eight won, two of them in the third set. That means nerve strength! Plus 126 aces in five matches… a clean record.
Karlovic is thus approaching the top 100 of the world again (108th place this week) and thus also the cut for the main field of the Australian Open. Next Stop: the Challenger in Charlottesville next week.
If Karlovic were to make it back into the top 100, he would currently be the oldest representative here as well. At the moment it is Roger Federer with 37 years and 2 months – and world rankings 3rd place.