Ivo Karlovic becomes oldest ATP winner in 37 years with success in Rhode Island

Ivo Karlovic became the oldest ATP title winner for 37 years when he outlasted Gilles Muller to win the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island.

The 37-year-old Croat beat his third-seeded opponent 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (14-12), winning a lengthy final tie-break to become the oldest winner on Tour since Marty Riessen won the title at Lafayette in the same year Karlovic was born.

It was also third time lucky for Karlovic, having lost in the final in Newport for the previous two years. He won his seventh career title after saving three match points.

"After all these years when I was losing in the final and now I was finally able to do it," said the world No 35. "And I was down a match point. That makes it even nicer.

"It's awesome because when you lose like this in the last two years, you are down to match point, thoughts come into your head. It was that much nicer."

Karlovic, who returned from a left knee injury earlier this year, became the oldest man to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for 25 years at this year's French Open, eventually losing to runner-up Andy Murray.

"I don't think I did that much wrong," said Muller. "I think Ivo played great on all the match points. He served great. I won a couple of matches in the last few weeks where I was the lucky one, I wasn't the lucky one."

At Roland Garros, 51 men aged 30-plus began in the main singles draw - a new Grand Slam record - while there were 49 players over 30 in round one at Wimbledon.