Karlovic upsets Haas in Munich first round

MUNICH, Germany, May 2 (Reuters) Fourth seed Tommy Haas of Germany was knocked out of the Munich International 6-3 7-6 (7-3) by Croatia's Ivo Karlovic in the first round today.

''It was very frustrating,'' said Haas, who reached the semi-finals of the tournament last year. ''He was very strong and if he keeps up like he did, all I can say is 'good luck'.

''I've got to try to forget this match fast but it won't be easy.'' Karlovic fired 22 aces past Haas, who was back after recovering from a wrist injury which had forced him out the Houston semi-final against American Mardy Fish on April 15.

''I wasn't able to train very much but that's no excuse,'' Haas said.

In other matches involving seeded players, third seed Jarkko Nieminen of Finland beat Andrei Pavel of Romania 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (9-7) and eighth-seeded Florent Serra of France was beaten by Sweden's Robin Soederling 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 6-4.

REUTERS PG ND2104