The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Karlovic claims maiden ATP crown

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Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007
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Karlovic claims maiden ATP crown

HOUSTON: Unseeded Ivo Karlovic captured his first ATP title when he beat qualifier Mariano Zabaleta 6-4, 6-1 in the U.S. men's clay court championship final here on Sunday.

The Croat, who won his second match point with a 140-mph ace, arched his back and clenched his fists before going over to shake hands with his coach.

His fastest serve of the day was 149 mph. He served 10 aces in the final, and finished the week with 53.

It was his third final. He was runner-up to Andy Murray of Scotland in San Jose (California) this year and to American Andy Roddick at Queen's Club in London in 2005.

It's Almagro again

At Valencia, Spain's Nicolas Almagro successfully defended his title in the first clay court ATP event of the 2007 European season. The 21-year-old Almagro, ranked 31st in the world, beat Italy's Potito Starace 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the final of the Valencia Open on Sunday.

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia won the biggest match of her career, battling a swirling wind to defeat Dinara Safina of Russia 6-2, 6-2, to clinch the Family Circle Cup at Charleston on Sunday.

It was the first WTA Tour Tier I final and victory for Jankovic, who was seeded second.

The results: At Houston (U.S. men's clay court championships): Final: Ivo Karlovic bt

Mariano Zabaleta 6-4, 6-1.

At Valencia (Valencia Open): Final: Nicolas Almagro bt Potito Starace 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

At Charelston (Family Circle Cup): Final: Jelena Jankovic bt Dinara Safina 6-2, 6-2.

At Monte Carlo (Monte Carlo Masters): First round: Julien Benneteau bt Benjamin Balleret 7-5, 5-7, 6-2; Marat Safin bt Jarkko Nieminen 5-7, 6-3, 6-2; Hyung Taik Lee bt Jonas Bjorkman 7-6(6), 6-1; Arnaud Clement bt Florent Serra 6-4, 7-6(5); Max Mirnyi bt Marcos Baghdatis 7-5, 6-4; David Nalbandian bt Federico Luzzi 3-6, 6-2, 6-1; Kristof Vliegen bt Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5, 6-3; Robin Soderling bt Olivier Rochus 6-4, 6-4. — Agencies

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