1 Response to rosmalen17muller_karlovic

1. Voo de Mar says:

   October 28, 2020 at 5:36 pm

   Points won by each set: | 39-33, 39-32 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   61 % Muller – 40 of 65
   46 % Karlovic – 36 of 78

   The all-serve-and-volley (or rather all-serve) match between the 38-year-old Karlovic [24] and 34-year-old Muller [28] was the oldest singles final on the main-level since Hong Kong in 1977, when 42-year-old Ken Rosewall defeated 30-year-old Ilie Nastase. “I think we should make a suggestion to the ATP that we just start with the tie-break next time!” said Muller. “It’s always tough to play Ivo and I’m glad I could beat him. I had many friends and a lot of family coming, so it’s been a great week here.” Muller won the final thanks to his better ground-strokes, they were crucial in both tie-breaks. # The Karlovic-Muller rivalry was very specific: for many years they never faced each other at the main-level, then as veterans three matches within a non-calendar year, all on grass and all 7 sets went to tie-breaks. Muller won the first match 7-6, 7-6; Karlovic another one 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 (two breaks in that match!).

   Muller’s route to his 2nd title:
   2 Andreas Seppi 7-6(5), 6-4
   Q Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
   S Alexander Zverev 7-6(5), 6-2
   W Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5), 7-6(4)

   # Comparison of their back-to-back matches in Rosmalen:
   2016 (S): Muller d. Karlovic 7-6(5), 7-6(4)… 1 hours 26 minutes… Total points: 75-65 (aces: 22-21)… Break points: 0
   2017 (F): Muller d. Karlovic 7-6(5), 7-6(4)… 1 hours 33 minutes… Total points: 78-65 (aces: 22-18)… Break points: 0

   # Muller trailed *1:3 in 3rd set vs Bedene, saved a double mini-MP at 4-all

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