Karlovic whacks aces record - but exits anyway

The Croat smashed compatriot Ivanisevic's record of 10,237 aces to become the all-time leading scorer

BEIJING: Towering Croat Ivo Karlovic smashed Goran Ivanisevic's record to become the all-time leading scorer of aces on Wednesday -- but still exited the China Open as he went out to Pablo Cuevas.

The 6ft 11ins (2.11m) Karlovic hammered 26 aces in his 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (9/7) defeat, reaching a career total of 10,247 and surpassing compatriot Ivanisevic's 10,237 along the way.

The record was consolation for Karlovic after his defeat to 37th-ranked Cuevas, who is enjoying a dream run in Beijing after he beat world number five Tomas Berdych in the first round.

The thunderous serve of Karlovic, 36, also yielded 45 aces in this year's quarter-final victory over Berdych in Halle -- the most recorded in a three-set match.

In the women's draw, Bethanie Mattek-Sands upset US Open finalist Roberta Vinci 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals.