Karlovic outlasts Tsonga in thrilling, emotional tiebreaker

Journeyman serve king Ivo Karlovic can be a frustrating nut to crack for his opponents. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was the latest to feel the agony of getting overwhelmed by the giant’s serve, and both of his break points were erased in a 6-4, 7-6 (9) loss at the Western & Southern Open on Tuesday.

There were too few opportunities for the eighth-seeded Tsonga to extend rallies or finish points with a flourish, like this flick backhand that mirrored the touch of the Swiss Maestro.

Tsonga lost the first set and created few openings as Karlovic scattered 19 aces and won 82 percent of his first-serve points. It put particular strain on a rousing second-set tiebreaker that had a few memorable highlights.

At 5-6 and match point, the Frenchman rallied and finished with an overhead Pete Sampras smash, complete with curled high knees.

At 7-7, Karlovic stretched out with a clutch volley that may have been the difference in pushing him to victory.

Facing his second match point, Tsonga had a great opening with a forehand passing shot after Karlovic came in on a slow, high chip shot. Somehow, Tsonga botched the pass and it sailed far wide. Immediately, he pounded his racquet into the cement and disgustedly tossed the frame across the sidelines. With the match over, there was no opportunity to penalize him for the racquet abuse.

Another seed bites the dust, and Tsonga joins this photo of top players who are not in Cincinnati.

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