US OPEN – Marin Cilic finds colors. After a bad season, Croatia qualified for the knockout stages of the American Grand Slam after a solid success in four sets against John Isner (7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4). A shock against Rafael Nadal awaits him to clinch a place in the quarterfinals next Monday.
A match at 60 aces
His cry of rage after the match point has also said a lot about his relief to go to the round of 16. Engaged in an average year in Grand Slam (8th in Australia, second round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon) and complicated overall, the Croatian emerged victorious from a high altitude battle, where he tried to compete serving in a 60 aces match (20 for him, 40 for Isner).
Although less adroit (16 double faults at 3, 52% first ball), the winner of the 2014 edition has built its success on important points. He broke Isner at 5-5 in the first set and dismissed two set balls in the tie-break of the third. He ended up frustrating a dramatic American on break points (1/14 converted) and who still has not passed the quarterfinals of "his" major tournament.
For Cilic, it will quickly cash the 3:22 of this fight. Because in the eighth, he will face Rafael Nadal, who spent just more time on the courts (4:08) … since the start of the US Open.
Source link
https://www.eurosport.fr/tennis/us-open/2019/us-open-marin-cilic-rejoint-rafael-nadal-en-8e-apres-sa-victoire-contre-john-isner_sto7435868/story.shtml
