Only one break point in this tight match. For his first round Marin Cilic had to fight against a very good Denis Istomin. The number two seed finaly won in two sets (7/6, 6/4) in 1h37 minutes.
In the first set the two players were good with their serve. No break point and easy games to win. A tie-break had to designed a winner and it was Marin Cilic. At 6-5 for him in the tie-break and Istomin to serve, the Croatian with a very good defense took the first set after a net mistake from his opponent.
Watch #Cilic wrap up a hard-fought set over #Istomin, 7-6(5). Narrow margins! @abnamrowtt https://t.co/kRsZ9udpkC https://t.co/ugbE5pTnJl
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2016
The games at the second set were more hard for Denis Istomin. At 2/1 against him, he faced two break points but saved them with autority. Same thing a 3/4 with break points for Marin Cilic but he missed them after Denis Istomin’s good serves.
In the « money time » at 5/4 for him, the Croatian put the pressure on Istomin to obtain one new break point and a match point. The moment for him to converted his first break point at the right moment. Game, set and match Marin Cilic.
With 93% of first serve point won and 10 aces, it was difficult to take his serve today !
« The start of the year is very crucial ». This Cilic’s sentence is true and he must be happy with this strong victory today.
Next opponent : the winner of the match between Andreas Seppi and Gilles Muller.
