He also led France to victory over Australia in the 2001 Davis Cup final in Melbourne.
Serve to savor
Ask American veteran Todd Martin to pick the best serve he has faced and he is quick to answer -- Croatia's Ivo Karlovic.
The 33-year-old Martin beat Karlovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, but was left shaking his head.
"It's the best. It's unbelievable,unbelievable," said Martin of Karlovic, a towering 2.08m righthander from Zagreb, who is the tallest player to rank in the top 100 in the history of the Association of Tennis Professionals rankings.
"He's 6-10 and he serves from a tree," added Martin, who stands 1.98m and also packs a big serve.
"He serves hard, but he is so accurate it is astounding. He has one heck of a complete serve, first and second serve."
Karlovic, ranked No. 72, averaged an ATP-best 17.6 aces per match during 2003. Against Martin on Wednesday, he hit 33 aces to 11 from the American.
Martin put Karlovic's serve ahead of such big-hitters as 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic and current players Wayne Arthurs, Greg Rusedski and Mark Philippoussis.
"I'd rather play Wayne Arthurs every day for the rest of my life than play this guy one more time," a smiling Martin said.
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