Jannik Sinner took “a straight punch to my face” from Tommy Paul, then punched his ticket to the Rome final

Ivo Karlovic has produced what he calls an ''unbelievable'' run to the Pune final at 39 years old, becoming the oldest men's finalist since 43-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1977.

"I am really old, but I am here," Karlovic was quoted as saying. "It's unbelievable."

The No. 100 added that "didn't expect" to reach the final, saying "I was hoping I would be able to win a round or maybe a match or two, but now I’m here."

The Croat won his semifinal against Steve Darcis, who set a record himself as the first unranked player to reach an ATP semifinal, and also defeated teenage phenom Felix Auger-Aliassime during the week.

Advertising

39-year-old Karlovic makes history by reaching Pune final

He plays Kevin Anderson in the final.

Currently sharing the record for the oldest ATP tournament winner with Roger Federer, Karlovic could break it again by lifting the trophy in Pune.

Karlovic, who turns 40 in two months, is also the oldest player in the ATP top 100 -- a position he wants to keep for a while.

"It helped that I didn’t reach the Top 100 at a really young age. I was 24, so I don’t feel like I’ve been doing this a long, long time. I have been, but it’s a different feeling," he told the ATP website.

Karlovic has reached a career-high of No. 14 in the rankings.

Advertising

39-year-old Karlovic makes history by reaching Pune final

**Hopman Cup (Sat - Sat 12.29 - 1.5)

• Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev, Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber headline the Hopman Cup. Watch live coverage on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Saturday 12/29 at 9:00pm ET.**

**ATP/WTA Brisbane (Sun - Sun 12.30 - 1.6)

• Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Naomi Osaka and Sloane Stephens open their 2019 seasons in Brisbane. Live coverage from three courts begins on Tennis Channel Plus on Sunday 12/30 at 8:00pm ET.**

**WTA Auckland (Sun - Sun 12.30 - 1.6)

• Catch the action from the ASB Classic including Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki. Live coverage begins on Tennis Channel Plus on Sunday 12/30 at 8:00pm ET.**

**WTA Shenzhen (Sat - Sat 12.29 - 1.5)

• Watch first to last ball action from the Shenzhen Open featuring Maria Sharapova and Jelena Ostapenko beginning Saturday 12/29 at 11:00pm ET.**

**ATP Pune (Mon - Sat 12.31 - 1.5)

• Watch Kevin Anderson, Marin Cilic and Hyeon Chung live from Pune starting Monday 12/31 at 6:30am ET.**

Advertising