Karlovic power overwhelms Tsonga
WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July
Highlights: Karlovic sees off Tsonga
A display of raw serving power earned Ivo Karlovic a 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 7-6 (7-5) win over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Wimbledon's third round.
The giant Croat sent down a total of 46 aces as the ninth seed found himself comprehensively outgunned.
After trading tie-breaks, Karlovic broke in the last game of the third before seizing his second match point.
Robin Soderling beat Spain's Nicolas Almagro to advance while Fernando Verdasco overcame Albert Montanes.
Karlovic's formidable power was in early evidence as he blasted his way out of a potentially tricky situation at 0-30 down in the opening set's eighth game with four successive aces.
Frenchman Tsonga's own serve was operating well, earning him nine aces in the first set, but a single mini-break was enough to secure an early lead for his 30-year-old opponent.
The crowd rallied behind the world number nine and he levelled in similar style as the third point of the tie-break saw him snatch a rare rally on the Karlovic serve.
But a deft drop-volley from Karlovic converted the first of two break points in the closing stages of the third, and he was equally ruthless when a thin net cord deceived Tsonga and handed him the chance to take the match.
Soderling, the tournament's 13th seed, edged a lengthy tie-break in the opener before easing to a 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 6-4 victory in two hours.
The French Open finalist converted two of six break points during the match and also hit 43 winners against the 48th-ranked player.
The 24-year-old Swede will next play world number two Roger Federer who eased past Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Verdasco beats Montanes in four sets
