Marin Cilic and Ajla Tomljanovic both overcame adversity in their first round matches on day two of the Australian Open, as they emerged victorious after falling one and two sets behind. The victories were a stark contrast from day one, where Croatians were 1-5.
After over three hours in the 100+ degree heat, Marin Cilic finished strongly to knock off Marcel Granollers in his first round match in Melbourne. Cilic did what he has so often done in majors, going the distance and coming out on top, as he won 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. He was 5/8 on break point opportunities, and only gave Granollers three break chance in match, as he shook off some early rust to take control of the match. Cilic’s next opponent, #19 Gilles Simon, also toughed through a long match in the hot conditions. Simon won the fifth set of his first round match 16-14, and will surely come into his second round match at less than 100%.
Ajla Tomljanovic came up on top against Slovenian Tadeja Majeric in her second ever win at a grand slam, by a score of 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-4. Tomljanovic improved in each set, winning just six points (23%) off of Majeric’s serve in the first set, then 13 (36%), and 17 (45%) in the final set. She also allowed fewer break points in each set, from three to two to one. Tomljanovic will take on the 13 seed Sloane Stephens in the next round. The Croat will be a heavy underdog against the 20 year old American, but a win would see her move into the top 60 in the WTA rankings.
Day 3 Preview
Day three sees the beginning of round two for singles and the start of the doubles tournament. Ivan Dodig will take on Bosnian Damir Dzumhur at 11 AM (7 PM ET) and will hope for a short match, as the projected high in Melbourne is 107 degrees. It will surely be tough for Dodig to make a run in both singles and doubles given the heat. He is favored in the match against Dzumhur and could face #7 Thomas Berdych in the 3rd round. Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, Donna Vekic, Darija Jurak, Ivo Karlovic, Marin Draganja, and Mate Pavic all play their first round doubles matches on Day three. Other than Pavic and Draganja, all Croatian players are paired with non-Croats. Unfortunately, no Croatians play on televised courts once again, but Cilic and Tomljanovic are both likely to on day four.
It’s a sign of support, but worthless.
Petitions don’t change FIFA decision, bribe money does.
Whats up guys! Joes Simunics lawyer has started a petition for Joe as well. Sign it and pass it on to everybody you know.
Petition link
http://www.za-dom.eu/
lol wow, Serb Ziva Istina…in another thread putting down Croatians.
“It doesn’t matter anyway. We dont have any players worth following or cheering for in tennis. None of them have the potential to do any damage.”
Why do you even come on this site dickhead? Do you even read how negative you are every single time?
Being objectively critical and “taking off the homer glasses” is one thing….but saying that some of our nations athletes are “not worth following or cheering for in tennis” is just you being your negative self.
If you don’t want to follow them then why did you click on this thread? Just to come in and make negative comments?
Why even come onto the site if all you’re gonna do is say things like. This Croatian eats big macs and he’s fat…this Croatian gets STD’s….This Croatian is cheap….This female Croatian is chubby. This national football team shouldn’t even make it to the world cup.
lol you’re probably the guy whos on this site the most …yet also seems to discredit the athletes the most, and argue with “fellow Croatians” the most.
You don’t think people would find that odd? Serb Ziva Istina?
Harassed how? Don’t give them a reason to be harassed.
It doesn’t matter anyway. We dont have any players worth following or cheering for in tennis. None of them have the potential to do any damage.
Ziva,
We get dicked big time when we go in our checkers to support our players. Most Australian Croatians have stopped going because we get harassed by security and police.
It’s just easier to stay away then cop all the extra bullshit thrown our way after the brawls with the Serbs a few years back.
Bad effort by Dodig. Did he not see the weather forecast and forget to drink water. Dude was cramping up, walking and not even trying to put up a fight. He goes down to some bosanac I have never heard of and the bosanac outnumbered the hrvati in the stands.
I finally saw 30 for 30 “No Mas.” It’s awesome that Sugar Ray had a Croatia cap on. I definitely recommend watching this documentary. It’s well done.
Great victories for Cilic and Ajla, I hope they go far.
haha, i thought i was the only one who noticed that.
Just watched espn 30 for. 30. No Mas.
Sugar Ray was wearing a Croatia cap.