Berdych Ousted by Karlovic in Doha

December 30, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

On Monday at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, it was world number seven and fourth-seeded Tomas Berdych who fell in upset fashion to Ivo Karlovic, 7-6(7), 7-6(4). Karlovic’s fourth win over Berdych in six FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings featured no breaks of serve.

"It is really tough. I have played Ivo twice now in the past couple of months [also at the Swiss Indoors Basel]," said Berdych. "I didn’t lose my serve, but still it isn’t enough. I have lost four tie-breaks in a row. So well done to Ivo. It is hard to play someone who serves that well. It is also difficult to find my rhythm. Ivo is not an opponent you appreciate playing early on. You never have your destiny in your hands. You are waiting to see what will happen. I now must look forward to matches in the doubles."

Also in action at Doha, it was two-time former finalist Gael Monfils who defeated Santiago Giraldo 7-6(1), 6-2 in 78 minutes. Monfils was a Doha runner-up in 2006 and again 2012. He improved to 3-0 in his FedEx ATP Head2Head series against Giraldo.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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