PUNE: Croat Ivo Karlovic on Friday (Jan 4) became the oldest man in more than four decades to reach an ATP final after beating Steve Darcis at the Maharashtra Open in Pune. Ivo Karlovic of Croatia hits a return against Steve Darcis of Belgium in Pune on Jan 4, 2019. (Photo: AFP) Karlovic, who turns 40 next month, follows in the footsteps of Australian legend Ken Rosewall who reached a tour-level final aged 43 at Hong Kong in 1977. Karlovic defeated Darcis of Belgium 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 to set up a title clash with world number six Kevin Anderson of South Africa who in turn served out defending champion Gilles Simon of France in straight sets. "Yes, I know that I am old. But I am happy that I am still here in all these years with (many) ups and downs and injuries. And I am able to do this here is unbelievable," Karlovic said after the win at the hard court event. "I have been calm and it has helped me in my career," the 2.11 meters (6 feet 11 inches) tall Karlovic added. Big-serving … [Read more...] about Veteran giant Karlovic reaches Pune ATP final at 39
Atp rankings history
Top 10 sport events of 2018
Việt Nam lift the AFF Suzuki Cup. — VNA/VNS Photo Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s sportsmen and women had an outstanding 2018 at home and abroad. Việt Nam News looks at the 10 most outstanding events of the year. 1. After a decade of waiting, the Vietnamese team once again lifted the AFF Suzuki Cup. Việt Nam defeated Malaysian 1-0 in the second leg of the final at Hà Nội’s Mỹ Đình National Stadium on December 15 to win 3-2 on aggregate. Việt Nam U23 team at the AFC U23 Championship. — voanews.com 2. The U23 football team finished second at the AFC U23 Championship held in China in January, the country’s best ever finish at a regional-level event. Hà Nội will host an F1 race for 10 years. — Photo 24h.com.vn 3. Hà Nội was chosen to host a Formula 1 race for 10 years, with the first race slated for April 2020. It will be held … [Read more...] about Top 10 sport events of 2018
Djokovic, Nadal, Federer in year-end top three for seventh time
The star trio ranked first at one stage during the year, the first time for them to make that during the same season. Djokovic, who ended 2017 at No. 12, became the first player in history to finish No. 1 after ranking outside the top 10 in the previous season. At 31, he is also the oldest year-end world No. 1. Five changes in top 10 can be found compared with that last year, including two newcomers, the sixth-ranked Kevin Anderson and No. 10 John Isner. Moreover, Djokovic made his way back to top 10 along with Juan Martin del Potro and Kei Nishikori. For the first time since the ATP Rankings was introduced in 1973, players from five different regions of the world have been represented in the top 10, including six from Europe, and one each from Africa, Asia, North America and South America. The ATP Rankings has witnessed the year-end top 10 from 10 different countries for the second time in three years. The ATP year-end top 10 players are Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Alexander Zverev, del … [Read more...] about Djokovic, Nadal, Federer in year-end top three for seventh time
Djokovic thumps Anderson to set up final clash with Zverev
The world number one was immaculate from start to finish against the 32-year-old as he put himself within touching distance of a record-equalling sixth title at the year-ender. He offered up a mere 14 unforced errors and not a single break point as he again proved too good for Anderson, who he beat to win Wimbledon this year. Djokovic found his range immediately and the writing was on the wall for Anderson when he dropped serve in the opening game. Anderson, the first South African to reach the semi-finals in the tournament's 48-year history, simply had no answer to the relentless accuracy of Djokovic's groundstrokes and had to save two break points in his next service game. Breezing through his own service games - he is yet to be broken this week - Djokovic was able to exert maximum pressure on Anderson's delivery and his opponent buckled to drop serve again as Djokovic pocketed a one-sided opener. There was no let-up at the start of the second set for Anderson as he double-faulted to … [Read more...] about Djokovic thumps Anderson to set up final clash with Zverev
Low-energy Isner ousted in Washington ATP opener
Viet Nam News Tennis WASHINGTON — Ninth-ranked John Isner, fatigued after a first-ever Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon and an Atlanta title run, lost to 152nd-ranked Noah Rubin on Thursday at the ATP and WTA Washington Open. Rubin, a 22-year-old American who lost to Isner in the French Open’s first round, beat the second seed 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) at the rain-hit US Open tuneup event. US second seed Isner blamed his low-energy outing in part on his busy recent schedule and also on the showers that delayed his opener to Thursday after an opening bye. "For me, this could very well be a good loss. I need a little rest," Isner said. "There are some big tournaments coming up. I want to be full of energy for those. It’s a blessing in disguise. That’s the mentality I have to have." Isner plays at Canada and Cincinnati the next two weeks in major tune-ups for the US Open, which starts August 27. Isner, who also won the Miami Open in March, surrendered a break in the … [Read more...] about Low-energy Isner ousted in Washington ATP opener