Outside of Croatia making the Davis Cup Final last month (losing to Russia) and Pavić/Mektić cleaning up the doubles scene in 2021, there hasn’t been much to discuss in Croatian singles tennis lately.
Now, 2014 U.S. Open champion, Marin Čilić, is trying to make his first 4th Round appearance since the 2020 Australian Open. In his way, another Russian.
Čilić has had his fair share of Russians in the past few months. He lost to world #2 Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 6-2 in the Davis Cup finals on December 5th. Čilić then lost to world #28 Karen Kachanov 7-6, 6-3 in the semis of the Adelaide tournament on January 3rd. On Saturday, Čilić will face another Russian, #5 Andrey Rublev, in the Australian Open Round of 32. Čilić has only dropped one set in his first two matches (both against qualifiers) and should be considered fresh.
Čilić is 1-4 all-time versus Rublev and has lost four straight (all on hard court). If the 2018 Australian Open finalist is to spark a late resurgence in the twilight of his career, now is the time.
Was I wrong about Cilic with my earlier comment. Just watched him beat Rublev in 4 sets. Marin played like in his best days and in reality should have won in straight sets. Good support from local Croatian fans from what I could see on TV. Well done Marin.
He played amazing tonight, so aggressive and making so many shots. It was truly something to behold.
I’m shocked he took down Rublev, especially after losing twice to him on hard court in 2021. A little resurge from Cilic here? Can he take down FAA too?
Regardless, Medvedev would be next. 😐
Ante, i don’t want to dream but… Marin and FAA have played each other three times before and you know the H2H? 3-0 to Cilic. So… it’s possible. I’m not saying he’s gonna win, i still think he’s a big underdog again, and worse i think the intensity and level he played with against Rublev, to back up after that i think is very, very hard.. so i still think he is an underdog but.. he does have that 3-0 positive record against FAA in his favour.
Mijo to Osijek is official.
Imagine if he plays a big role in Osijek getting their first title? 😏
E moj Bili… 😜
When I saw the draw, I thought that Cilic would make it to Round 3, and than lose to Rublev. Head to Head Rublev leads 4 – 1. First meeting in 2015, when Cilic won and Rublev was only 19. The match will be played at night which does not favour Cilic. It would have been better if the match was played in the heat of the day considering that Rublev had Covid recently, and had to isolate on arrival to Australia.
Small chance of Cilic winning, but you never know Rublev might get injured and be forced to retire.
Mektic and Pavic losing to those two idiots in Kyrigos and Kokkinakis was a bit of a shock.
Unfortunately #1 doubles team Mektic and Pavic are getting smoked by a couple of aussie cunts so looks like they wont be progressing further. Wouldnt have thought Cilic would be the last remaining Croat but that’s how it’s turned out!
I think his chances against Rublev are pretty low, i’d kinda be amazed if he won but u never know i guess!