Croat Karlovic powers to first career ATP title

HOUSTON, Apr 15 (Reuters) Croatia's Ivo Karlovic powered his way to his first career ATP title today, using his big serve to capture the US Men's Claycourt Championship with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Argentine Mariano Zabaleta.

The towering Karlovic, who stands 6ft 10ins (2.08 metres), routinely hit serves of 135 mph (217 kph) and faster past Zabaleta and finished with 10 aces.

Karlovic, 28, entered the match ranked 108th in the world. He was appearing in the third final of his career, but had never won a tournament.

''It's my first title and it's on clay, which is really unbelievable,'' Karlovic said.

Zabaleta, 29, who suffered a knee injury in November 2005 and missed eight months, was playing in his first tournament final since 2004. He has won three ATP tournaments and is ranked 156th.

REUTERS PDS PM0107