Karlovic outlasts Isner in Houston tennis

Associated Press

HOUSTON

Qualifier Ivo Karlovic of Croatia boomed 24 aces and ended a 3-hour, 16-minute match with a close line call for a 7-6 (2), 6-7 (2), 7-6 (9) victory over fourth seeded John Isner on Friday in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship.

The 6-foot-10 Karlovic — the talles player on the ATP Tour — is accustomed to using his height for a good service advantage, but felt he was looking in a mirror against the 6-9 Isner, who had 23 aces.

Tied at 9-9 in the final tiebreaker, Karlovic slammed home his final ace and ended it with a forehand drive that clipped the line. Ryan Sweeting of the United States, gained his first career semifinal with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Teymuraz Gabashivili of Russia.

Family Circle Cup

CHARLESTON, S.C.

Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki rallied from 4-2 down in the third set to defeat Yanina Wickmayer, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the semifinals.

Wozniacki dropped the first set and was two games away from defeat when she found her groove to win the final four games. Wozniacki tied the set when Wickmayer missed a drop shot attempt. The tournament’s top seed held serve, then broke Wickmayer at love to close out the match.

Wozniacki has reached the semifinals in all three of her Family Circle appearances. She will face Jelena Jankovic or Christina McHale, who play ed later Friday.

Andalucia

MARBELLA, Spain

Top-seeded Victoria Azarenka reached the semifinals after Dinara Safina retired with an injury.

Azarenka was leading 3-1 in the first set when Safina first had treatment on her lower back. The injury eventually forced her to quit the match while trailing 5-1.

Azarenka will face eighth-seeded Sara Errani.