Former champion Ivo Karlovic hopes to continue his impressive start in Houston against Russia's Igor Kunitsyn.
Karlovic picked up a rare clay-court title in Houston four years ago and the big Croatian is back again and in fine serving form. The conditions at this tournament are much quicker than most clay-court events on the tour, something Karlovic exploited to the full during the three rounds of qualifying at the weekend, smashing a total of 50 aces during those matches. His 29 aces against Jose Acasuso would have been a tournament record in the main draw.
He continued his form with a 7-6, 6-4 win over fifth seed Ben Becker yesterday. “It was different conditions today. It was less humid, so in the beginning I had to adjust a little bit, but all in all it was good,” Karlovic said. “I’m satisfied with the way I’m playing."
He will be strong favourite against Russia's Kunitsyn who is some way off his career of 35 and has achieved little of note in ATP events this year.
