Muller wasted three match points and Karlovic four, but the former missed a forehand volley long before the big-serving Croatian secured the crown.
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Stephane Robert of France beat eighth-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3. Johnson is ranked a career-best 25th this week.
Having taken 27 aces in winning his first two rounds at the International Tennis Hall of Fame Championships, Gilles Muller almost matched that in the 74 minutes that he was on Centre Court with Donald Young Saturday. You have to come in sometimes, even if it’s not a good approach, to put pressure on.
The 37-year-old Karlovic said the hot, humid day with an abundance of sunshine made it tough. He was glad his match didn’t last long. “It was hot today”, the 6-foot-11 Karlovic said. “I was in England for the past month and it was quite cold, same as here earlier this week. The way I was playing, I’m pretty happy with that”. I was lucky to be done in two sets.
Karlovic then won the second set with a forehand victor.
“It always helps when you can hit a lot of aces, because this is my best weapon and that’s my game – to have a lot of quick points, not a lot of rallies”, he said. “I finally found my rhythm with my serve, I returned pretty good and played very aggressive when I had to”, said Muller, one of seven members of the over-30 crowd in the top 100 rankings.
Now Luxembourg’s sportsman of the year goes on to face American Donald Young, ranked number eight, who defeated compatriot Steve Johnson (seeded No. 1) 6-2, 6-3.
The tourney is played on the grounds of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and is held in conjunction with induction ceremonies. Olivio was in his first ATP Tour semi-final. Marat Safin and Justine Henin headed the 2016 class that was enshrined Saturday with the semifinals. Mannarino grabbed a 2-6 win after 36 minutes.
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Sam Groth and Chris Guccione (2), Australia, def. Ken and Neal Skupski (3), Britain, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.
