Novak Djokovic vs Marin Cilic – Preview: Rogers Cup 2011
Serbian juggernaut, Novak “Djoker” Djokovic continues his campaign at the 2011 Rogers Cup at the Stade Uniprix in Montreal, Canada on Thursday as he takes on the Croatian giant, Marin Cilic.
An unstoppable force in 2011, Djoker is playing in his first event since Wimbledon after being crowned the 25th world number one dethroning the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. Starting the year at the Hopman Cup partnering
Ana Ivanovic, Djoker won all three of his ties to make it to the final though had to pull out of the event due to his partner’s ill health. Not playing in the season opening triad, Djoker started his year playing at the Grand Slam Down Under, the Australian
Open. Downing Tomas Berdych in the quarters, Swiss legend Roger Federer in the semis and top Brit Andy Murray in the final, the Serb clinched his second Grand Slam title.
What is an epitome for most was just the beginning for the mighty Serb. Finding his footing in the Masters Series, Djokovic bagged four back-to-back titles winning them at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome, defeating Rafa on
all four occasions. Losing only in the semi-final of the Roland Garros so far in the year, Djoker bagged his third Grand Slam crown after destroying Rafa in the title match in July.
Coming into Montreal, the Serb is playing in his fifth year having debuted in 2007. One of the few to do so, Djoker won the title here in his debut year defeating then world number one, Federer. Since then, however, the Serb has
no final appearances to show for though he’s made it to quarterfinals or more in the three years that followed. His last showing here last year ended in the semis when he lost to Federer.
Next to a decorated season and a Montreal/ Toronto career like Djokovic’s, Cilic may as well hang his racquet before even hitting the courts. Ranked twenty eight places below the Serb, Cilic has been somewhat of a disappointment
on tour lately. Though he once ranked as high as ninth in the world, Cilic has lost his flair since then. Though he may have the 6’6” height playing to his advantage, the Croat doesn’t have any other tricks up his sleeve. With an arsenal as empty as his, Cilic
will have to give it his all and then some if he wishes to best his old rival, the Serb.
With five past meetings on courts, Djoker stands undefeated against the Croat giant boasting a 5-0 lead in the head-to-head. A miserable 28-15 against Djoker’s near perfect 48-1, the Croat has the statistics stacked against him.
With no marvellous feats to show for this year, Cilic has made it into the finals of two ATP 250 events, emerging unsuccessful on both occasions.
Prediction: Given the statistical c*m psychological advantage coupled with his near perfect form this year, Djokovic is the favourite to win tonight’s contest.
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