US Open: Day two talking points, Karlovic breaks ace record

Sport360 staff 08:18 31/08/2016
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  • It was an eventful day at Flushing Meadows.

    IVO KARLOVIC SMASHES ACE RECORD

    Ivo Karlovic served his way into the US Open record books on Tuesday when he fired 61 aces in his 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 win over Lu Yen-Hsun of Taiwan.

    Karlovic, 37, beat the previous best of 49 aces for one match in New York served up by Richard Krajicek in his quarter-final loss to Yevgeny Kafelnikov in 1999.

    “I knew there were a lot of aces because there was a period (in the second set) when almost every serve was an ace. I knew there was a lot but I didn’t know it was this many,” said 6ft 11in (2.11m) Karlovic.

    Karlovic had three times previously served more than 50 aces in a tournament — his previous best in a tour match was 55 against Lleyton Hewitt in 2009 at the French Open.

    In the same year, he served 78 aces against the Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek in a Davis Cup clash.

    He has now served 11,277 aces in his career, 1000 more than second-placed Goran Ivanisevic.

    BIG GUNS BREEZE THROUGH

    Wimbledon champions Andy Murray and Serena Williams powered into the second round of the US Open as the stars came out on Arthur Ashe Stadium court on Tuesday night.

    Williams, launching her latest bid to rewrite the record books, started strong and didn’t let up in 6-3, 6-3 victory over 29th-ranked Ekaterina Makarova.

    The US world number one appeared untroubled by the balky right shoulder that has hindered her in recent weeks, delivering a dozen aces and 27 winners overall in the 63-minute contest.

    Murray went from claiming a second title at the All England club to a successful defence of his Olympic gold in Rio.

    Vying to become the fourth man in the Open Era to reach all four major finals in a calendar year, Murray, too, produced a dominant service performance in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Czech Lukas Rosol.

    “I don’t think I had any break points against me, which is very good,” the Scot said.

    Very good indeed, Mr. Murray.

    VENUS FED UP WITH SELFIES

    It is part and parcel of celebrity now that adoring, bordering unhinged, fans flock to their favourite faces in order to thrust a phone in their face and grab a ‘selfie’.

    But for one of tennis’ biggest names at the US Open – and at any tournament, for that matter – enough is enough.

    Venus Williams hit out at selfie seekers on Tuesday, saying there was a time and a place for such behaviour and it most certainly wasn’t when jet lag was kicking in.

    “Selfies have become an epidemic. You are getting off a plane at 1 a.m., Can I take a selfie? Please, I’m so tired, I don’t want to take a picture right now,” said Williams.

    We wholeheartedly agree Venus. But now we’ve got your attention, can we have a picture?

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