Ivo Karlovic became the first ever champion at Los Cabos Open after defeating Feliciano Lopez in the final. This is the first time since 2007 that Karlovic wins multiple titles in a season. Just a few weeks ago, he conquered the title at Newport and this week he added another title to his career. This final also became the oldest as the age of both players combined is 71 years. The Croatian played a tight first set, but in the second he dominated the Spaniard. In 84 minutes, Ivo Karlovic defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6, 6-2.
A tiebreak is needed to decide the first set
Lopez started the match playing some aggressive tennis as he didn’t hesitate to go to the net to finish the points. The Croatian started with an almost perfect hold as he used his big serve to win the points and level things up at 1-1. Being also the owner of a powerful serve, Lopez didn’t hesitate to do the same as Karlovic and try to end the points with either an ace or a missed return and that strategy worked as he put himself up 2-1 without complications.
When the Croatian didn’t use his big serve to win points, he came to the net and tried to block the passing shots his opponent was trying to win. Lopez serve was still on point, but Karlovic began returning better which meant the Spaniard needed to find another way to pass him. After another exchange of holds, Lopez began hitting outstanding passing shots but still he wasn’t able to get a break point.
The Croatian struggled to hold his serve in the sixth game, but after five game points, he was able to close it with an ace to level up to 3-3. Both players were playing serve and volley, and at this point, it seemed like no one was ready to yield and the first set looked like it would have to be decided in a tiebreak.
A couple of holds later, and still no break points the tiebreak was confirmed. Lopez started with the right idea after getting a mini break to be up 2-1, but after that point, everything was for Karlovic as he also got a two mini breaks to take the lead. Being up 6-3, Lopez attempted a comeback as he shortened the gap to 6-5, saving two set points but a forehand unforced error from the Spaniard sentenced the set.
Karlovic dominates the second set to take the title
It was a similar start in the second set as Karlovic had no problems to hold, however, the Spaniard started to show signs of vulnerability as for the first time in the match he faced two break points that he was able to save because of his powerful serve. The Croatian showed a display of solid tennis after a hold to love to lead 2-1.
Lopez didn’t wait too long to tied up the scoreboard as he only lost one point in the following game. The time for Lopez to have a chance to break arrived at the fourth game where he played some outstanding tennis and finally got himself a break point but two huge serves from the Croatian helped him survive the scare.
It seems that saving that break point helped his confidence as he finally got the first break of the match in the following game after blocking a shot and ended up with a volley winner. Now, leading 4-2. Karlovic was in full control of the match as he held to love to extend his lead 5-2.
The pressure was now on the Spaniard as he had to hold to stay in the match, but the Croatian was not forgiving any mistake and quickly got a championship point. Lopez did his fourth double fault of the set at the worst moment and with that Ivo Karlovic became the first ever singles champion at Los Cabos Open.
After match thoughts
“I think I should have served better, I think I could have won the first set but I did three unforced errors in the tiebreak and in the second set I had games with double faults and two breaks. Truth to be told, I didn’t feel comfortable at all with my serve and when you’re playing someone like him [Karlovic] it’s complicated. I was expecting a match like in the first set with tiebreaks but in the second set my level was not enough,” Lopez said after the match.
“The first set really helped me to get confidence as I realized what he was doing and I was able to take my opportunities. I was doing very well, playing very well.” Karlovic said at his press conference.
Purav Raja and Divij Sharan take the doubles title
The Indian team, Purav Raja, and Divij Sharan defeated Jonathan Erlich and Ken Skupski in the doubles final. Erlich and Skupski were dominant in the first set, but the Indian players came back to take the first set in a tiebreak.
In the second set, Raja and Sharan had the advantage but the other team came back from a break down to force a second tiebreak that later gave the victory to Raja and Sharan in which is their second title as a team.
"It has been amazing. We were lucky to get our first title in Bogota and today we accomplished the second one here at Los Cabos. It is amazing to play in front of this many people. The match was really hard but with the support, we accomplished this title", Sharan said after the match.