The Worm Gets The Better Of Dr. Ivo

Radek Stapenek and Ivo Karlovic ended up battling it out in an 5 hour and 59 minute-marathon match. Stepanek rallied after losing the first set 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(6) 6-7(2) 16-14.

The Czech withstood 78 aces from Karlovic. Of the 78 games played, there were only three breaks of serve. His second and deciding break of the match came in game the 29th game of the final set. This single match was longer than Spain's first two matches with Israel.

Stepanek’s epic win gives the Czech Republic a 1-0 lead. A loss like this could be hard for Team Croatia to rebound, but Marin Cilic, who plays next, has been playing well of late.

(Image: Darko Bandic/AP)