Mikhail Youzhny vs. Ivo Karlovic [+1.5 Games] - Preview

A match from the quarter finals of ATP Zagreb between Mikhail Youzhny and Ivo Karlovic.

 

Youzhny, the 29 years old Russian, ranked at the 39th place on the tour, is coming after losing at the quarter finals of Doha to Nadal, 6-4 6-4, and later losing to Golubev on 5 sets on the Australian Open, and starting this tournament with 2 wins so far, over Stakhovsky 6-4 7-6 and Zemlja 6-1 6-3. Youzhny is the sort of players who really fights for every point, has great forehand, but also he, dropped at his rankings a lot over the last years.

Karlovic, the 32 years old Croatian, ranked at the 46th place, is still one of the best servers on the tour, and he played two excellent matches so far on the tournament, beating Kavcic on the first round, 7-6 6-3 and Sela on the second round 6-3 6-2. Against Sela he was moving really well, playing really well, and hitting the ball great, including serving as usual really amazing, with 12 aces on the match.

Karlovic, on his home ground, can keep playing that well, and has a great chance of winning the tournament, and he has to pass Youzhny to do so, and I believe he will do so.