LONDON: Top seed Marin Cilic has reached the final of the Fever-Tree Championships for the fourth time in his career after defeating Nick Kyrgios 7-6(3), 7-6(4).
The world No.6 withstood 16 aces from Kyrgios to deny him the opportunity of playing in his first grass-court final on the ATP World Tour. Cilic achieved the narrow win by claiming just eight more points than Kyrgios in the entire match (75-67). Furthermore, he won 88% of his first service points and hit 40 winners to 14 unforced errors.
“I knew that Nick was going to be serving big. He served really big in his first three matches, especially his last two.” Said Cilic.
“I was expecting that it’s going to end up being either a point or two or even a wrong decision that can make a big difference. I was keeping myself really focused, really composed, patient.”
As two of the biggest servers in this year’s tournament, the lack of breaks in their semifinal clash was inevitable. Prior to today, Cilic had won 33 out of his 34 service games this week at Queen’s. Meanwhile, Kyrgios has achieved a tournament record 82 aces, producing 32 each in his last two matches.
Despite the closeness between the two, Kyrgios still entertained the crowd with his antics. During the first set he hit an between-the-legs tweeter shot to win a point, displayed his own version of Federer’s SABR (sneak attack by roger) and received a warning for swearing on the court. Nevertheless, Cilic was undeterred by his rival. Staying solid behind his serve throughout.
With each player matching each other on serve, it was the slightest mistake that proved critical to the outcome of the match. As illustrated in the first set tiebreaker when a Kyrgios forehand drifted beyond the baseline. Moving Cilic to a 4-2 lead. From then on the 2012 champion closed in on the 7-6 lead. Hitting a deep forehand into the corner to earn three set points before sealing the lead with the help of another Kyrgios error. This time from the backhand side.
A similar pattern formed in set number two with both players refusing to drop their serve. Cilic had two opportunities to break for 3-2, but was denied due to some emphatic play from his opponent. In the end it was a case of deja vu for the former US Open champion as he capitalized on more Kyrgios errors to close the match out. A double fault from the World No.21 granted Cilic the early advantage in the second tiebreaker. Eight points later his lead increased due to a Kyrgios forehand ploughing into the net. Granting him match points. After failing to convert his first, Cilic triumphed on his second when a soft serve was returned out by his opponent.
“It was tough. The worst serves he only played was the first game in the match. I maybe had a little look there. Apart from that he played pretty well.” Kyrgios reflected after the match.
“I knew his serve was going to be tough today. I thought his forehand was really, really good. His first ball after his serve was pretty good.
“It was just a couple of points in it.”
Reflecting upon his latest win on the tour, the 29-year-old believes his wins earlier in the tournament helped him prepare for today’s match. In previous rounds, he got the better of Sam Querrey and Giller. Both of whom are big servers on the tour.
“ I felt that it (the matches) made me become aware that I have to be ready from the first point from the start. I think that helped me for today’s match.” He explained.
“Playing Gilles in the second round, Sam yesterday, knowing that a couple of things, if they play wrong, can result in losing a set or even a match. That was keeping me on my toes.”
Cilic will now play in his second ATP final of the season and his first since the Australian Open. He will play either Novak Djokovic or Jeremy Chardy on Sunday.
