Marin Cilic digs deep to oust Daniel Brands in second round – US Open 2012
Seeded 12th in this event, Marin Cilic from Croatia, proved his class to overpower the Germany qualifier, Daniel Brands, in a five-set nail-biter at the US Open 2012 on Thursday. He summed up a 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 7-5 victory against the 25-year-old to secure a spot in the round of 32 at this major hard court event held in New York City, United States.
The Croatian top ranked player squandered his chance of bagging the match in straight sets. However, he stayed focused in the fifth set and ultimately pulled out the victory in three hours and 40 minutes. After earning the fame, Cilic improved to a 3-0 lifetime in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head Series by 3-0 against the German and advanced into the third round at this final Grand Slam event of the season.
The 23-year-old quickly made on the right path after entering Court number 13. He swiftly bagged his entire serves without facing any breakpoint and broke his rival’s serve in the eighth game to seal the opener by winning six games to three.
Ranked 13th in the world, Cilic carried his rhythm in the follow-up set and got the critical break in the opening game to jump to a 2-lead. He held his remaining serves with poise and broke Brands’ serve once more to clinch the set with a 6-2 score line.
Brands re-focused in the third set and held his opening serve to take the initial lead. He amazingly warded off all three breakpoints he faced to keep his entire serves. The German cashed in the only break opportunity in the last game to plonk the set with a 7-5 success.
Standing at number 123 in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Brands continued showing impressive tennis skills in the proceeding set. He spectacularly fended off all seven breakpoints he faced to bag his entire serves. The German again capitalised on the lone break chance in the last game and clicked the set with a 6-4 win.
The match was poised on a knife edge but the seed was the one who prevailed in the final set. He re-gained his early momentum and ascendance, subsequently swiping his entire serves without encountering any challenge. Cilic capitalised on one out of two break chances in the 11th game and eventually pocketed the decider with a 7-5 success.
Cilic will next face 17th seed, Kei Nishikori, in the round of 32.
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