Karlovic finally wins Newport title

Muller wasted three match points and Karlovic four, but the former missed a forehand volley long before the big-serving Croatian secured the crown. Muller is now 0-5 in ATP Tour finals as he continues his wait for a first title.

The veteran Croatian and second seed edged past Muller 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (14-12) in the decider in Newport.

Ivo Karlovic's wait for a Hall of Fame Tennis Championships title is finally over after a three-set win over Gilles Muller in the final on Sunday. The veteran Croatian and second seed edged past Muller 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (14-12) in the decider in Newport. Karlovic, the runner-up the past two years at this grass-court tournament, battled to a seventh ATP World Tour title and first of 2016. He sent down 27 aces, while Muller had 18 of his own, to close out his win in two hours, 56 minutes.

Muller is now 0-5 in ATP Tour finals as he continues his wait for a first crown. The players traded breaks in the first set, Muller rolling out to a 5-1 lead in the tie-break before closing it out. The left-hander only managed to win seven return points in the second, however, and only Karlovic was able to win a point against serve in the tie-break. Again, there was few chances in the third before the tie-break arrived and Muller had an early mini-break disappear.

A poor missed volley from Muller gave Karlovic a 5-3 lead, only for the Croatian to gift the advantage back via a double fault. Muller wasted three match points and Karlovic four, but the former missed a forehand volley long before the big-serving Croatian secured the crown.