Ivo Karlovic battles pass Fernando Gonzalez into second round – US Open 2011
Monday, 29th August, started off with the 1st round matches of the US Open an hour after noon. Kicking off second at court six, Ivo Karlovic, Croatian, played his opening round match against Fernando Gonzalez of Chile
at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA.
Karlovic, 32, dominated for 116 minutes before the Croatian cleared up the opening round winning 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(3) and into the second round of the Grand Slam.
Historically, the two had gone head-to-head two times before. Gonzalez, however, could not capture any of the three, including the US Open 1st rounder. Although the two had a very competitive profile, the Chilean still
fell short. The fast court could have made the difference as the former world No.5 has been a mesmeriser of the slow circuit not of the fast.
Karlovic, has been less consistent, however, works as a destroyer sometimes. Although he might not get so far, the Croatian drowns other good players with a onetime shocker. Considering his match against the Chilean world No.296,
the right-hander had proved to be a stronger link.
Moving on with the starter, Gonzalez took the first round and scored the first game, 1-0. Levelling the scores second, Karlovic won the next game and switched the serve. The Croatian pulled off with the first breakpoint, in game
3, and further extended his lead to 3-1 and switched service.
The former world No.5 pulled back some games, however, could not break to level the difference and eventually led on to lose the first of the five sets, 6-4.
Continuing with set 2, Gonzalez then served first to take the advantage lead winning game 1, only to be levelled up immediately in game 2. The scores then equalled at 2-2, 3-3, and then on 4-4 before the Chilean was again broken,
5-4. The 32-year-old took out the final game serving and won the second consecutive set, 6-4.
Gonzalez opened up the third set and took out game 1 saving a breakpoint and switched the serve. Levelling the scores once again in the game, Karlovic won game 2 and stood equal.
Neither of the two could break each other throughout the set and led to an eventual tiebreaker. The 31-year-old Chilean could not jam his claws far enough to win the set. Losing the third as well, 6-7(3), Gonzalez was kicked off
the fast circuit in nearly 2 hours.
Karlovic drives off into the next round of US Open 2011 to play against the Frenchman, Richard Gasquet, as the two stood to clash, to battle out for their continuation in the Grand Slam event.
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