Federer struggles with Karlovic again
Federer struggles with Karlovic again 
By Patrick Vignal
Former Australian Captain November 01, 2007
ROGER Federer struggled to tame Croat Ivo Karlovic for the second time in five days when he beat him 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the Paris Masters second round.
The world No.1, who had already been made to work by the 208cm tall Karlovic for a 7-6 7-6 semi-final win in Basel on Saturday, had further problems against an opponent with an awkward style and a formidable serve.
The
Swiss, guaranteed to finish the season in top spot for the fourth consecutive year, broke in the sixth game of the first set and went on to take it with a forehand winner after 35 minutes.
Karlovic fought back in the second set, earning three set points in the 10th game. Federer saved two but hit a forehand long on the third.
An early break in the decisive set helped Federer regain control and he stayed on top until Karlovic, who fired 16 aces to bring his 2007 total to an amazing 1318, bowed out by missing a drop shot on the first match point.
“It was not easy but I had a lot more opportunities than in Basel and I played well at times,” Federer said.
His reward will be a meeting with another familiar face, David Nalbandian, the man who upset him in the final of the Madrid Masters earlier this month.
Argentine Nalbandian advanced with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Spain’s Carlos Moya, the 14th seed in the $2.63 million indoor event.
“I’m looking forward to playing Nalbandian again,” Federer said. “Facing him in the third round is easier than playing him in a final because he’s always a lot more dangerous in finals.”
Reuters