Marin Cilic storms Bastian Knittel to reach 3rd round – German Tennis Championships 2011
22-year-old Croatian Marin Cilic defeated Bastian Knittel in a 3 setter match at the Rothenbaum Tennis Court, Hamburg as they met for their second round match at the 2011 German Tennis Championships. The match was played at the
centre clay court of Rothenbaum. The court was filled up as the home fans came to support their player though they went home unhappy.
Facing each other for the first time, Bastian Knittel was roughed up by the young Croatian in an intense match. Ranked at world No.32, Marin Cilic turned pro in 2005 under Coach Bob Brett. The huge 6’6” right hander has been more
of a hard court and grass player because of his playing style and height.
On the other hand, the German international has played his last 3 events at home and should’ve had this advantage working for him. However, it did not. Bastian, ranked at World No.187, facing the young Croat for the first time
and got knocked out immediately.
The first set started off with the Croat serving first and opening the score card 1-0. Following his rival, Bastian won his first game of the match to level the scores to 1-1. Scores went on respectively until game 6 when Cilic
won his worst breakpoint on Bastian’s serve leading the set 4-2. Out of the next three games of the first set, the world No.32 won two to win the set 6-3 and lead the match 1-0.
The second set was the longest set of the match. Opening up the set was the home player Bastian Knittel. Saving a breakpoint in the first game the German led 1-0. Following his first game win, he then won a breakpoint of Cilic’s
serve to lead 2-0. Cilic struck back in game 3 of the second set with a breakpoint to cut the lead to 1-2. Levelling the scores at 2-2 on his serve, Cilic was now back in the game. The scores then levelled after every 2 games played eventually leading to a
tiebreaker.
The tiebreaker was certainly a decider for the German international. With a lucky forehand on Cilic’s serve, Bastian won the tiebreaker and finally had a breather 7-6.
With the decider set on its way, the match got as exciting as ever. After game 4 of the final set, the scores went level once again at 2-2. Bastian nicked a breakpoint to lead 3-2 and further extending to 4-2 in the following game.
However, the worst was yet to come for the home fans. Cilic won straight 4 games stunning the German international with his mouth wide open. The match ended up 6-3, 6-7(4) and 6-4 in favour of the Czech international.
Marin Cilic now qualifies for the 3rd round match against another German, Tobias Kamke for a spot in the quarterfinal round.
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