Ivo Karlovic claims 1st ATP title

HEAD players enjoyed success at various tournaments this past weekend.

Unseeded HEAD player Ivo Karlovic captured his first career ATP title with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over fellow HEAD player Mariano Zabaleta from Argentina at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston.

"It is an unbelievable feeling, especially to win on the clay," Karlovic said. "It was a final, so I really wanted to win. I was more focused (than in previous finals). I was ready to win."

The Croat battled his way through the tournament with his HEAD Flexpoint Instinct and defeated No. 3 seeded Tommy Haas 7-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
Qualifier Zabaleta, who plays with the HEAD Flexpoint Prestige Mid, upset No. 2 seeded James Blake 7-5, 7-6 (9/7) on his way to the final.

Meanwhile, HEAD Player Mark Knowles and partner Daniel Nestor defeated Alex Peya and Bjorn Phau, 6-4, 6-1 to reach the finals of the doubles competition. Knowles’ weapon of choice on the court is the HEAD Flexpoint Prestige MP.

HEAD player Ivan Navarro Pastor of Spain, dubbed the “Lucky Loser” when top-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer withdrew with a back injury prior to the first round, defeated Evgeny Korolev of Russia 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the semifinals at the Open de Tenis Comunidad in Valencia, Spain. Navarro Pastor also plays with a HEAD Prestige MP racquet.