Ivo Karlovic has broken the record for the most career aces after firing down 26 in his second-round match with Pablo Cuevas at the China Open on Thursday.
The 6ft 11in Karlovic moved on to 10,247 aces with his barrage, the most on the ATP Tour since records began in 1991 and 10 clear of the previous mark set by his fellow Croatian Goran Ivanisevic.
Ivanisevic, it should be noted, turned professional in 1988, three years before the records began.
1. Ivo Karlovic - 10,247 2. Goran Ivanisevic - 10,237 3. Roger Federer - 9,386 4. Andy Roddick - 9,074 5. Pete Sampras - 8,858 6. Ivan Liubicic - 8,138 7. Richard Krajicek - 7,694 8. Greg Rusedski - 7,605 9. Feliciano Lopez - 7,535 10. John Isner - 7,209
Karlovic's latest fireworks were not enough for him to avoid defeat, however, as Uruguay's Cuevas claimed a 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (9-7) triumph to progress to the quarter-finals in Beijing.
Despite not being able to mark the achievement with a win, the 36-year-old Karlovic was still thrilled with what he had done.
He told the ATP: "It's a great feeling. For the past year I knew it was possible and I was hoping that it would be this year. It's great that it happened here.
"My serve is my biggest weapon and I always take pride in it. To be able to do this is a great feeling and a great accomplishment.
"I'm not done yet. There are many years in front of me and hopefully that number will go up and up."
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