2011 Australian Open: Mikhail Youzhny and Marin Cilic make it to Round 3
World number 13, Mikhail Youzhny proceeded to the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday after a hard fought battle with Blaz Kavcic.
Appearing for the eleventh straight year, a Grand Slam title has long eluded the number one Russian. His career best at the event has been as far as the quarterfinals, which came in 2008 when Youzhny was ousted by eventual finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Hoping for a maiden title win at Melbourne Park next week; Youzhny started his title run on Tuesday when he played Turkish Marsel Ilhan. Youzhny was quick to dismiss the Turkish to secure a second round clash for himself.
Meeting Youzhny in the second round was qualifier Blaz Kavcic who had earlier bounced back from being one set down to defeat the South African, Kevin Anderson.
Kicking off their second round clash, Youzhny rushed to a 2-0 set score lead winning the first two sets 6-3, 6-1. However, failing to maintain his form, Kavcic bounced back in the third set winning it 7-5. Securing a 6-4 in the fourth set, Kavcic was able to level the set score, bringing the match into the fifth and deciding set. Not allowing much leeway to the Slovenian, Youzhny secured a breadstick win for himself moving into the third round of the event. Youzhny will next play Milos Raonic.
Joining the tenth seed is the thirteenth seeded Croat, Marin Cilic. Putting in his fifth appearance at the event, Cilic has only improved over the years. His career best came last year when he made it all the way to the semi-finals before losing to Andy Murray.
Hoping to go one step further this time, Cilic started his title run at the event, playing qualifier Donald Young. Doing away with the American in straight sets, Cilic extended his no set loss record on Thursday when he played Santiago Giraldo for the second round match.
Winning the first set 6-3, Cilic hit a bump when Giraldo forced a tiebreaker in the second set. However, winning the tiebreaker 7-1, Cilic was able to wrap up his straight sets victory with a breadstick win in the third set.
Cilic will next play either John Isner or Radek Stepanek.
Also making it to the next round is Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov. Dolgopolov was able to move into round three of the Grand Slam after securing a four set win over German, Benjamin Becker. The score line was 6-3, 6-0, 3-6, 7-6(3).
Dolgopolov moves into the next round to play either Tsonga or Italian Andreas Seppi.
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