• Sony Ericsson Open

Mayer brings Karlovic back to earth

ESPN staff
March 25, 2011
Japan's Kei Nishikori will meet Rafael Nadal in the second round © Getty Images
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Sony Ericsson Open seedings

Having pushed Rafael Nadal to his absolute limits in their quarter-final in Indian Wells a week ago, Ivo Karlovic was given a harsh reality check as Florian Mayer knocked him out of the Sony Ericsson Open in the first round on Thursday.

Karlovic gained 86 rankings with his run to the last eight in the BNP Paribas Open but the Croatian veteran failed to maintain his momentum in Miami, losing 6-4 7-6 to the efficient German.

It was a typical match for 208cm giant Karlovic, who blasted 10 aces but won a mere eight points on return as Mayer took advantage of his opponent's immobility and picked off the only break of the match in the first set before winning the second 8-6 in a narrow tie-break.

Japan's top player Kei Nishikori backed up well from Wednesday's charity football match in honour of his home country, upsetting Jeremy Chardy 7-6 6-2.

The reward for Nishikori is a second round clash with another player who pulled on the footy boots in Miami, world No.1 Nadal.

Feliciano Lopez came from behind in an epic first round encounter with Richard Berankis to scrape through 4-6 7-6 6-3. Janko Tipsarevic is also through after seeing off Robin Haase 6-4 7-6.

Rainer Schuettler had 16 years of experience over up-and-comer Ryan Harrison and the 34-year-old made it tell as he claimed a 7-5 6-2. And there was no luck for the player with one of the best names on the ATP Tour, as Carlos Berlocq knocked out American teen Jack Sock in straight sets.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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