Ivo Karlovic defeated Federico Delbonis in a tight match where the Croatian hit 21 aces and two double faults. Karlovic dealt with the heat on the court and the noise that he heard throughout the match due to playing on a much smaller court, but he was able to stay focused on his game to advance to the second round in New York.

Taking advantage from Delbonis serve issues

In the first set, Ivo Karlovic found the way to capitalize the problems that Delbonis faced with on his serve. In the second game of the set, the Argentine hit two double faults and saved two break points to hold at one. In the fourth game, the Croatian had two more break points on Delbonis' serve and, the Argentine saved one but his second his dumped into the net. Karlovic consolidated the break at 4-1 by going with some serve and volley tactics.

In the next game, the world number 21 had another break point after Delbonis hit his third double fault of the set. However, the Argentine found his timing and held in that game with one ace and two good serves. Karlovic had two set points when his opponent was serving down 5-2; a forehand winner and net point kept Delbonis alive but the Croatian didn´t give him the chance to complete the comeback as he hit two aces to hold at love and take the set 6-3.

Doctor Ivo takes the match

In the second set, both players were solid on their serves. Karlovic didn´t start in good shape, as he hit two double faults in the second game to give Delboinis his first break points of the match, but the Croatian saved them once again using his serves..

The next break chance came when the Argentine was serving to at 5-all, but he dropped a 40/15 lead to give to Karlovic the opportunity to close out the set with his serve. The Croatian didn´t waste his chance and with one , ace he took the set 7/5.

The final set was like the second, both players serving well and saving break points at the beginning. However, it was the eleventh game when Karlovic would capitalize on Delbonis' serve. He had two break points and took the second as the ball was dumped into the net. In the last game Karlovic, showed off his serving repertoire to take the match 6-3, 7-5, 7-5. 

It was a tight match, but Karlovic prevailed as he took three of the break points he had and saved the three he faced. Delbonis had trouble finding rhythm on his serve, and the Croat made him pay for that. 

In second round, the Croatian will face Jiri Vasely, who defeated Paolo Lorenzi 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.