Ivo Karlovic defeated Marin Cilic in the first round of the Shanghai Masters, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (2), scoring his first win over the U.S. Open champion in three matches. Karlovic is nearly 10 years older than the 26-year-old Cilic and has never reached a Grand Slam semifinal. He reached the 2009 Wimbledon quarters.
Cilic, the world No. 9, says he couldn't get control of his countryman's famed attacking serve. Entering this week, the 6’11” Karlovic had hit 957 aces on the season; he struck 20 in his win over Cilic.
"It's a gamble with him," Cilic said. "He goes all in or nothing. It's always difficult. He was serving really well towards the end of the match. I couldn't get into his serve. It can happen with Ivo. It's always tricky. The game, I'm feeling it's on the spot.”
Cilic is sixth in the ATP Race to London, where the World Tour Finals are held, with 3,986 points. Only eight players qualify, with Andy Murray ninth at 3,565 points. However, as a reigning major champion, Cilic or Stanislas Wawrinka would qualify if they are in the Top 20.
“Though I lost today, it's unfortunate, bad luck, but I'm going with positive energy into the next weeks to finish the season well," said Cilic.
Cilic is scheduled to play St. Petersburg next week, which is an ATP 250, then Valencia, an ATP 500, and finally the Paris Masters 1000.