Mahut Survives Epic Against Lopez

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Last year’s Artois Championships runner-up Nicolas Mahut was made to battle all the way by Spanish left hander Feliciano Lopez before booking his place in the second round at The Queen’s Club.

Mahut, who was one point away from claiming the title 12 months ago against Andy Roddick in the final, eventually came through 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(4) to upset the No. 14 seed Lopez on Tuesday.

The Frenchman, unseeded this year, produced 27 aces during the 2-hour, 23-minute match and will now face big-serving John Isner in the second round after the American overcame South African Kevin Anderson 7-6(5), 6-4.

Meanwhile, 2005 runner-up Ivo Karlovic fired down 19 aces of his own en route to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Australian qualifier Josheph Sirianni.

The 6’10” Croatian, who lost to Andy Roddick in the final three years ago, will now meet either No. 10 seed Fernando Gonzalez or former World No. 1 Marat Safin for a place in the quarterfinals.

Karlovic’s countryman Mario Ancic also reached the third round, defeating Spanish lefty Fernando Verdasco 7-6(6), 6-4, but Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu ended what could have been a perfect day for Croatians with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic.