Marin Cilic crashes out in opening round but enjoys a great season – Tennis Special
Last year finalist, Marin Cilic from Croatia, showed dismal performance and ultimately exited the China Open in the opening round. He suffered a 6-3, 6-7(0), 4-6 loss at the hands of the
Romanian wild card entrant, Marius Copil, at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 500 Series event held in Beijing, China. However, the Croatian star is enjoying a great on-going season and is looking forward to rebound at the Shanghai
Rolex Masters.
The Croatian number one was bidding for his third year-to-date title at the National Tennis Center in Beijing. He unveiled his class by conquering the AEGON Championships in Queens Club
(trounces 10th seeded David Nalbandian) and the ATP Vegeta Croatia Open in Umag (trashed fourth seeded Marcel Granollers). Mustering his season further, Cilic reached the final showdown at the BMW Open in Munich (lost to the top local contender,
Philipp Kohlschreiber) and reached far at several events. He reached final four at the bet-at-home Open in Hamburg and secured quarter-final berths at the Western and South Open in Cincinnati and the Flushing Meadows.
After exiting to the eventual champion, Andy Murray, in the quarter-finals of the US Open, Cilic high-spiritedly entered the Beijing hard courts. He made quick in-roads and leaped to a 3-0
lead with a break of serve. Despite squandering his edge afterwards, the Croat got the breakthrough in the eighth game and pocketed the opener with a 6-3 success.
Currently ranked 13th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Cilic dragged the following set to a tie-breaker despite taking the initial lead. However, he stepped
off gas in it and eventually lost the set.
In the deciding set, the Croat got the coveted break in the second game. However, he swayed from his path and eventually bowed out to the world number 221.
“I'm very disappointed, as I always feel here may be the best in the year, and the conditions here would suit my game almost perfectly,” said the disappoint Cilic in an on-court interview
after losing the match. “[I’m] really sad that I lost, but looking ahead, I have to be positive for next three tournaments to try to play well, and hopefully I'm going to get my chance next year."
The Bosnia and Herzegovinian-born Cilic is enjoying a great season despite making a sloppy start. Entering the season ranked at 21st in the word, Cilic was forced to skip the
Australian Open and several tournaments with injuries. Furthermore, the Croat exited from the opening round at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championship and the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. However, the Croat started to pick his momentum afterwards
and reached his peak in April where he reached the title-round of Munich ATP event.
The 24-year-old is eyeing to re-structure for the upcoming Masters 1000 event in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. He is seeded 11th at the Shanghai Rolex Masters and will
bid for his ninth career title.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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