Karlovic upsets Blake in San Jose

General / Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Ivo Karlovic caused a massive upset at the San Jose Open by emerging from a tough battle with second seed James Blake to book his place in the quarter-finals.

The world number 103 had to fight back from the brink of defeat but saved five match points on his way to a 6-7 7-6 6-4 victory.

Having lost the opening set, Karlovic was 5-3 and 30-0 down in the second but he threw caution to the wind to eventually force a tie-break, in which he saved four match-points, before securing the only break of serve in the third set to make it through.

An obviously delighted Karlovic, who won the ace-count 29-3, said: "When I lost my serve I knew I had only one chance to break so I was more aggressive and then I got more confident and my level went up.

"He is one of the top players so I am very happy."

Supporters of defending champion Andy Murray and top-seed Andy Roddick, who are scheduled to meet in the semi-finals, will be rubbing their hands in glee at the news as Blake was considered the biggest threat to either's chances.

Roddick, who booked a clash with Vincent Spadea in the last eight with a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) victory over fellow American Sam Querrey, remains the favourite to lift the title but is now priced at 2.8, having been matched previously at 3.85.

Murray, who will meet Hyung-Taik Lee in the quarters, is next best in the market at 3.35, having been matched at 6, ahead of fourth seed Russian Marat Safin (4.6), who was pushed all the way by world number 93 Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan before winning 6-4 5-7 6-4.