Goran Ivanisevic’s son Emanuel makes Challenger debut at 16

A couple of days after playing his first main-draw Futures match, Goran Ivanisevic’s 16-year-old son Emanuel stepped to a higher level. The young Croat received a wild card for the Zagreb Open Challenger in their capital city, gathering more experience. Emanuel faced the six-time Challenger champion Carlos Taberner in the first qualifying round and suffered a 6-1, 6-1 defeat in 62 minutes. The more experienced Spaniard served at 84% and barely lost a point behind the initial shot. Emanuel grabbed three return points, never mounting pressure on his opponent and feeling it in his games. Goran’s son dropped over half of the points behind the initial shot, offering Carlos 15 break points and defending ten.

Emanuel Ivanisevic, Zagreb Challenger 2024© Stream screenshot

However, Taberner added five breaks to his tally, controlling the pace and sailing into the next round. Emanuel netted a forehand in the first game of the encounter, facing a break point. He saved it and denied another after Carlos’ loose forehand. Still, a teenager netted a forehand on the third break point, sending his rival into an early advantage. Taberner held at love in game two with a service winner and made another push on the return in the next one. The Spaniard generated three break points and seized the third after the Croat’s backhand error, securing a double break and moving 3-0 in front. Ivanisevic missed a drop shot in the fourth game, allowing Taberner to hold at love and increase the advantage.

Carlos Taberner, Zagreb Challenger 2024© Stream screenshot

Emaunel Ivanisevic played his first Challenger match in Zagreb at 16.

Emanuel denied two break points in the fifth game before squandering game points. The Croat denied the third break point with a lucky net cord winner and held with a service winner, securing his first game at the Challenger level. Carlos landed a forehand winner in the fifth game, producing his third hold at love and forcing his rival to serve to stay in the set. Ivaisevic opened a 40-15 lead before dropping four straight points, allowing Taberner to wrap up the set 6-1 with a forehand winner.

Emanuel Ivanisevic & Carlos Taberner, Zagreb Challenger 2024© Stream screenshot

The Spaniard closed the first game of the second set with a winner at the net before the Croat held at love in the next one with a powerful serve for 1-1. Carlos held at love in the third game with a forehand winner at the net and made a push on the return in the next one. Ivanisevic saved three break points before hitting a double fault on the fourth, pushing his rival 3-1 in front. Taberner fired an ace in the fifth game, holding at love and increasing the advantage. The Spaniard landed a return winner in game six, delivering a break and serving for the win at 5-1. The more experienced player created a match point with a service winner and sealed the deal with another.