Marin Čilić and company are off to a fantastic start Down Under.
The 2017 Wimbledon finalist has only dropped one set in his first two matches, defeating qualifier Vasek Pospisil and Joao Sousa, on his way to the third round where he will meet American Ryan Harrison. Should he take care of business, Čilić is lined up to meet #1 seed Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.
Dr. Ivo Karlović will join Čilić in the third round after a straight set victory over Serbian Laslo Đere in the first round and a 5-setter against Japanese Yuichi Sugita that ended 12-10 in the final set in Karlović’s favor. He will face Andreas Seppi Friday. 21 year-old Borna Ćorić lost in straight sets to Australian John Millman in the first round.
On the ladies’ side, Donna Vekić was downed by #21 Angelique Kerber 4-6, 1-6 while #28 ranked Mirjana Lučić-Baroni also lost in straight sets to Aliaksandra Sasnovich Thursday in the second round; 3-6, 1-6. Vekić would have played Maria Sharapova next. 26 year-old Petra Martić won her first two matches in straight sets and will now face Thai qualifier Luksika Kumkhum in the third round. There is no ranked player left in her section with Venus Williams and Julia Gorges bowing out early.
In the “almost shock” upset of the tourney, 21 year-old Zagreb native Jana Fett was up 5-1 in the final set against #2 ranked Caroline Wozniacki but just couldn’t find the finishing touch; being broken every game after the fact to eventually drop the set 7-5 to the Dane. It would have been her biggest career win and would have put Fett on the map during the Australian Open.
you sound so stupid Soul champ
@ BZ
Definitely on the “hope you get bum rushed if you don’t play your Hrvati crew!”
Also down the Lovren for CDM movement ? LOL!
Lovren loves attacking and get shoot from distance.
Loses concentration and seems to lose interest in CB role.
I’m just saying … stranger shit has happened …
Love what Stipe had to say about his opponent this Saturday.
“I thought, ‘Here’s a tough guy, just like everyone else I’ve fought,’” Miocic (17-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) told MMAjunkie. “That’s it. He goes out there and finishes guys, but I finished those same guys like two years ago. I’m not worried about it.”
That’s what you call mentally tough.
HNS, take notice.
One of those intriguing fights for sure.
Know I am not the only one, but absolutely love when our men get benched and the team fails.
Atletico and Barca lost today after benching Vrsaljko & Rakitic respectively.
Got Stipe on the mind. A win this weekend would be incredible. Might be a top 5 Croatian sport moment for me.
As the Champion underdog, it would make it that much sweeter. Would be sad to have another Gonzaga moment.
Ya iggy. Miocic is in tough but i hope he prevails. He is a boxer by trade that might work but that dude hits hard. Go Stipe!
Yeah Jana Fett should really have win, pity there. Unfortunately, as you said, Cilic is gonna meet Nadal in the quarters so can’t see him going beyond there.
As i said in another thread, Coric just continues to disappoint despite high praise and expectation around the kid.
Also, i dont know if you’re doing an article on this but Stipe is in the fight of his life this Saturday evening vs Ngannou. It’s a tough one for him for sure.
Sweet. Keep going ladies and gents!