Karlovic serves up 9000th ace in Qatar

Ivo Karlovic served his 9000th career ace in beating Lukas Rosol 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in the first round of the Qatar Open.

The 35-year-old Croat joined retired players Goran Ivanisevic and Andy Roddick as the only three men to serve at least 9,000 aces in their careers.

“Now I’m in the club,” Karlovic said after Monday’s win.

“It’s definitely one of my goals to be No. 1 in all aces. This year, maybe, I will do it.”

Ivanisevic holds the record with 10,183 aces. Roddick, the former top-ranked American, trails with 9074.

Karlovic had 27 aces Monday to take his tally to 9022.

In 2014, Karlovic put up a tour-leading 1185 aces for the season.

Sixth-seeded Richard Gasquet also advanced to the second round by beating Pablo Andujar of Spain 6-3 7-5.

Gasquet, the highest-seeded player playing on the opening day, led 4-2 in both sets but dropped serve at 5-4 in the second set.

The Frenchman closed out the match with a backhand crosscourt winner.

Dustin Brown of Germany, Simone Bolelli of Italy, Fernando Verdasco of Spain and Ivan Dodig of Croatia also advanced to the second round.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal enter play on Tuesday.

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