Haase defeats giant Karlovic

Robin Haase has reached the second round of the Libéma Open. Holland’s number one defeated power server Ivo Karlovic on centre court  7-6(3) 6-7(5) 6-3.

Previously the player from The Hague defeated Karlovic, 39-years-old now and the world’s number 14, in the quarter-finals in 2015 in three sets. Last year the tall veteran was the losing finalist in Rosmalen against Gilles Muller.

As expected, the match offered a lot of serving. Haase hit 15 aces and Karlovic, no less than 24. The sole service break of the match took place in the third set when Haase delivered a great backhand return winner. The home player turned the advantage into a victory shortly after.

‘After the draw I was not very enthusiastic, although with the strong competitor field in Rosmalen, no one is an easy opponent. Ivo is not easy to play against, but my returns were very good today,” explained Haase.

Haase, seeded sixth this week, will meet the Australian qualifier Bernard Tomic or the charismatic Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis, in the next round.