Alexandr Dolgopolov vs Marin Cilic – Final Preview: ATP Studena Croatia Open 2011
Ukrainian tennis pro Alexandr Dolgopolov will be taking on Croat Marin Cilic on Sunday in the final of ATP Studena Croatia Open in Umag.
Dolgopolov has been in commanding form over the last few weeks or so. He is yet to drop a set at the Association of Tennis Professional and he will be entering the final as a favourite to lift the Croatian Open title.
Number two seed booked a place in the semi-final with thumping 6-4, 6-4 over Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero. Earlier in the quarterfinal he floored another Spanish player Ramos Vinolas 6-3, 7-5. In the first round play, he eased
past Filippo Volandri in straight sets. The Ukrainian is having a dream time on the clay courts of Umag after he experienced an opening round loss at Hamburg just over a week ago.
He will be looking to maintain his form in his next match-up as well to lift first ATP trophy of his career. However, he must try and bring more consistency in the serve return department of his game against Cilic to achieve his
goals.
Coming to Dolgopolov’s performances in the year 2011, he has been victorious in twenty two out of last forty matches on the tour. He had a decent clay court season as he reached the third round of 2011 French Open. However, he
struggled to find consistency in his game on the green surface as he was thrashed out of the opening rounds of Eastbourne and Wimbledon.
"I think it’s going to be a tough match [against Cilic]. He serves well and plays steady on the court. I will try to make winners and go in a bit, hit drop shots, try to break up the game a bit."
His opponent Marin Cilic, on the other hand, has been in great form since the season has started. With twenty five victories in his last 39 appearances on the tour, he is certainly on a roll. Just over a week ago he put up a great
show at Hamburg to reach the third round and now he is looking in fabulous touch here in Umag. Cilic defeated Fabio Fognini of Italy in straight sets to book his place in Final of the tournament.
"Last week (in Hamburg) I played really good and this week I’ve played really good, that fills me up with a lot of confidence.
"Even if I don’t win it, I’m still going to feel good about it. I’ll give 100 per cent in the final tomorrow and we’ll see how it ends."
Both players are well matches and possess deadly weapons which they use against each other. However, considering Cilic’s performances in recent times, he is expected to emerge victorious from this encounter.
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