Ivo Karlovic’s encounters with Indian tennis players have been relatively infrequent throughout his career, but they have provided some interesting moments:
Karlovic has a 1-1 h2h against Somdev Devvarman.
Memorable Match against Devvarman:
• The 2009 Chennai Open clash between Karlovic and Devvarman remains a significant memory for Indian tennis fans.
• Devvarman’s tactical approach and impressive performance against the powerful server showcased his potential and ignited excitement for Indian tennis.
Match Analysis :
In a thrilling upset, unseeded Indian wildcard Somdev Devvarman defeated the fourth-seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Chennai Open. This victory marked a historic moment for Indian tennis, as Devvarman became the first Indian player since Leander Paes in 1998 to reach the Chennai Open semis.
The 23-year-old Devvarman, ranked 202nd in the world at the time, displayed exceptional grit and tactical prowess to overcome the towering Karlovic, known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game. Facing an opponent who had topped the ace leaderboard in 2008 with a staggering 961 aces, Devvarman adopted a strategic approach, employing lobs and heavily spun returns to neutralize Karlovic’s booming serve.
The opening set was a tightly contested affair, with both players holding serve comfortably. Devvarman showcased impressive composure, matching Karlovic’s firepower from the baseline and forcing the set into a tiebreaker. In the crucial tiebreaker, Devvarman seized control, taking an early lead and capitalizing on Karlovic’s unforced errors to clinch the set 7-6(4).
The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players showcasing strong serving performances. However, Devvarman displayed remarkable resilience, saving a break point in the third game and applying constant pressure on Karlovic’s service games. Finally, in the tenth game, Devvarman capitalized on two unforced errors from the Croatian to secure a crucial break and seal the victory in straight sets.
This win marked a significant milestone in Devvarman’s career, propelling him into the limelight and igniting the hopes of the Indian tennis fans. He went on to face Rainer Schuttler in the semi-finals, eventually falling short in a closely contested match. Nevertheless, his impressive run at the Chennai Open showcased his immense potential and paved the way for future success on the ATP Tour.
Ivo Karlovic got his revenge few months later in Washington.