little known Jozef Kovalik caused the biggest upset of the Chennai Open as he knocked out world number six and tournament-favourite Marin Cilic in a gripping pre-quarterfinal, here on Wednesday.
Qualifier Kovalik, winner of just two Challenger titles in his career, was up against a Grand Slam winner but made Cilic's life as tough as possible with his never-say-die spirit and in the end was a proud winner.
Kovalik, ranked 117, showed nerves of steel in a hard-earned 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-5 win over the 'rusty' top seed.
Cilic, who ended the 2016 season with a career-best rank of six, was pushed by the Slovakian in two hours and 48 minute match and was rewarded with the biggest win of his career.
The 24-year-old Slovak refused to be in awe of a superior opponent and impressed with his ground-strokes. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain as he threw everything back at Cilic, who has won this tournament twice (2009, 2010).
Kovalik next faces Daniil Medvedev, who shocked eighth seed Yen-Hsun lu 6-4 6-3 in his second round.
It is first time since 2010 that a top seed has lost his first match after Robin Soderling had lost to Robby Ginepri.
The Slovak said it was hard to believe that he has won against a top guy but it gives him confidence that he can match them.
The third set was again neck and neck before Kovalik cashed in on unforced errors from Cilic to get a break in the 11th game, setting himself up to close the match in his favour. However, there was more drama to the match with Kovalik facing three breakpoints but Cilic could convert none and eventually Kovalik converted his first match point.
In another second match of the day, Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas outplayed Steve Darcis 6-2, 6-0.
Paes loses
Veteran Indian tennis star leander Paes began the 2017 season and his partnership with Andre Sa on a disappointing note as they crashed out of the Chennai Open with a straight sets defeat against rising stars Divij Sharan and Purav Raja.
Paes and his 111th partner were sent packing 4-6, 4-6 in 67 minutes by Sharan and Raja, who enjoyed a successful 2016 season with four Challenger level titles and silently broke into top-70.
Both Raja and Sharan are establishing themselves as force to reckon with as they look for their third ATP World Tour title at a home event.