Ferrer stunned by Karlovic

Sixth seed David Ferrer crashed out of the ATP Indian Wells Masters with a 7-6 6-3 defeat against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia.

Big-serving Croatian back from the wilderness in Masters series

Sixth seed David Ferrer crashed out of the ATP Indian Wells Masters with a 7-6 6-3 defeat against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia. The big-serving Karlovic, who has slumped from a career-high 14th to 239th in the world rankings, upset the formbook against the Spaniard who had already won titles in Auckland and Acapulco this year. The 6ft 10in Croat won 86 percent of his first-serve opportunities and closed out the match with his ninth ace to post a first victory over Ferrer in three meetings. Karlovic, whose 2010 season was cut short by Achilles tendon surgery, clinched the first set 7-3 in the tie-breaker before earning the crucial break in the fourth game of the second, securing his place in the third round in 96 minutes. There were also wins for ninth-seed Fernando Verdasco, who overcame Lithuania's Richard Bernakis after he retired with an injury in the second set, and 23rd seed Albert Montanes, who edged past Jarkko Nieminen 7-6 2-6 7-6.