Men’s wrap: Ivo Karlovic hits 59 aces in Australian Open five-set thriller against Kei Nishikori

One month out from his 40th birthday, Ivo Karlovic credited his Croatian diet for powering his late-career surge. But it wasn’t enough to get past Japanese star Kei Nishikori despite 59 aces.

Croatia's Ivo Karlovic hits a return against Japan's Kei Nishikori during their men's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2019. (Photo by Greg Wood / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Ivo Karlovic has thrown his full support behind the new super tiebreak rule despite bowing out in a five-set thriller on Thursday.

One month out from his 40th birthday, the Benjamin Button of world tennis credited his Croatian diet for powering his late-career surge.

Coming back from two sets down, Karlovoic sent down 59 aces for the match as he pushed Japanese star Kei Nishikori to five sets.

Kei Nishikori got the decision, but only just.

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However, Karlovic ultimately fell just short of a massive upset win, as the No. 8 seed won the last four points to prevail 10-7 in the decider.

Karlovic, who owns the Australian Open record with 75 aces in a match, said the super tiebreak was a great initiative, helping bring a quicker end to epic five-set matches.

“Otherwise it could go on and on and on and I don’t think it’s good for anybody,” Karlovic said.

Nishikori was relived to survive Karlovic’s monster serving barrage and progress through to the third round, joking that he would be lucky to notch 59 aces in a full season.

Milos Raonic marches on after an epic win over Stan Wawrinka

Raonic survives stern Wawrinka test

Canadian Milos Raonic has held his nerve to win three successive tiebreaks and send former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka packing in the second round at Melbourne Park.

In a match lasting just over four hours that began under open skies and finished with the roof closed on Rod Laver Arena following a rain delay, Raonic triumphed 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (13-11) 7-6 (7-5).

Switzerland’s Wawrinka, who won the Open title back in 2014, was up a break late in the fourth set but it was the big-serving Raonic who finished the stronger.

“That is hard to describe - it feels like four hours passed by in 15 minutes,” said Raonic.

“In the heat of the battle, the adrenaline takes over.

“You try to do everything you can each and every point.

“I was very fortunate to stay alive in that fourth set.

“I am thankful that it was indoors. I do a little bit better indoors than I do outdoors ... thank you for raining.”

Raonic’s third-round opponent will be Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who equalled his best grand slam result by upsetting last year’s surprise semi- finalist Hyeon Chung.

Herbert triumphed 6-2 1-6 6-2 6-4 against the No.24 seed from South Korea.

Originally published as Men’s wrap: Ivo Karlovic hits 59 aces in Australian Open five-set thriller against Kei Nishikori