Nikoloz Basilashvili was in clinical form at the Memphis Open as he brushed aside top seed Ivo Karlovic 7-6(2), 6-3, in the second round.
The 24-year-old, who defeated top-10 player Dominic Thiem in Sofia last week, was able to dominate the proceedings thanks to an impressive service display. The Georgian player won 100% of first service points (37/37) and dropped only nine points behind his second to reached his second consecutive quarter-final on the ATP Tour.
“I think I’m playing, in general, really well, the last couple of tournaments,” Basilashvili told The Commercial Appeal after his win. “Coming here I was in really good shape physically and mentally as well.”
Basilashvili is currently at a career high of 67th in the Emirates rankings. His scalp over Karlovic was the first one in his career after losing to the Croatian twice before on the tour.
“Beating a player like Karlovic is fantastic for me and gives me confidence for the next match,” Basilashvili said. “I played him twice and practiced with him a couple of times. His serving is obviously unbelievable. I was able to stay focused the whole match.”
Karlovic’s shock loss is the second consecutive tournament where he has been knocked out in his first match. Last week at the Ecuador Open he was upset by Victor Estrella Burgos, who went on to win his third consecutive Quito title. Reflecting on his latest defeat, the world No.20 admitted that he was struggling to adjust to the Memphis conditions.
“It was difficult (coming from a Tour event in) Ecuador, which is high altitude,” Karlovic said. “It was different conditions completely. Over there, the ball was bouncing high. Over here it was different. It was a difficult match for me.”
In the quarter-finals Basilashvili will play qualifier Matthew Edben, who defeated last year’s finalist Taylor Fritz 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Fourth seed Steve Johnson managed to avoid the same fate as Karlovic by fighting back to defeat compatriot Tim Smyczek 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. The world No.30 was on the verge of an upset after trailing 3-6, 1-3, before breaking twice in the second set and dictating the decider.
“I wasn’t executing my game plan, so I had to go to Plan B, Plan C, Plan D,” Johnson said. “I had to find a way.”
Johnson will next play Mikhail Kukushkin. The Kazakh player experienced little difficulty during his straightforward 6-0, 6-3, win over Darian King.
