Edgar Su/Reuters
MELBOURNE, Australia — Eighth-seeded Kei Nishikori withstood 59 aces from Ivo Karlovic before beating the veteran Croatian, 6-3, 7-6 (6), 5-7, 5-7, 7-6 (10-7), and advancing to the third round at Melbourne Park.
Nishikori has not made it easy on himself so far this tournament. He lost the first two sets of his first-round match and then allowed Karlovic to get back into this match after taking a two-sets-to-none lead.
Nishikori, who dropped to his knees after hitting a service winner on match point, led 4-1 in the final-set 10-point tiebreaker but allowed Karlovic to take a 7-6 lead in it.