Juan Martin Del Potro defeating Marin Cilic at 14s Orange Bowl
Who knew that this match up would continue into the professional ranks. Juan Martin Del Potro defeating Marin Cilic at 14s Orange Bowl.
Archive for: marin cilic
Bernard Tomic Gets a Tennis Lesson from Marin Cilic
Lots of people in Australia were talking about Bernard Tomic and his possible third round match with Roger Federer. However, Bernard has been knocked out of the US Open 2011 in big fashion! Tomic got hammered today by Marin Cilic 6-1 6-0 6-2.
Marin Cilic is a great player with a big serve and forehand. Tomic really struggled with Cilic’s serve and it didnt help that he made 34 unforced errors in the match compared to 16 of his opponent. However, most importantly Bernard only won 22% of his second serve points and thats just terrible.
Better luck next year Bernard!
Why Ryan Harrison Has a Promising Yet Long Road Ahead
Ryan Harrison was defeated yesterday afternoon in the first round of the US Open Men’s Singles tournament by 28th ranked Marin Cilic of Croatia. After failing to convert several break points at 1-1 in the first set, Harrison was immediately broken by Cilic in the following game and again in his next service game. Harrison broke back down 5-1 but eventually succumbed to Cilic in the first set 6-2. He would go on to lose the match 6-2 7-5 7-6(6) having served for both the second and third sets.
Harrison’s was severely hampered by his first serve percentage and his inability to construct points playing as if he were a backboard for Cilic. In addition, Harrison proved to be extremely irate throughout not only the first set, but the entire match. These displays of anger included yelling, kicking balls into the crowd, and racket tossing. While this proves Harrison is a player that really cares about his game, it would be more useful for him to channel his emotions in a positive manner rather than give away his hand to his opponent. Mats Wilander, the former world number one from Sweden and now tennis channel commentator, essentially stated that there was absolutely no reason for Harrison to be losing his cool in the first set because in a best of five match the first set should be used to develop form for the rest of the match whether you win or lose it.
Harrison also failed to execute a strategically sound game plan against the Croatian. Harrison was found lodged way behind the baseline with no intentions of looking to move forward and seize the initiative. His defensive stance often proved to be ineffective as Cilic would capitalize on Harrison’s floaters by moving in and crushing forehands for winners. This seemed to be the most often repeated pattern of the match and as evidenced in the outcome it did not bode well for the young American.
When Harrison chose to take up a more aggressive, offensive minded attitude he was successful in breaking down the Cilic forehand as the depth and pace of his ground strokes proved difficult for Cilic to handle. Harrison, in my assessment, failed to recognize that Cilic’s forehand was virtually unstoppable when played in the forecourt and as a result needed to keep Cilic well behind the baseline off the forehand side. Playing passive against an opponent who can hit you off the court makes very challenging to win.
The final problem I saw in Harrison’s games was his inability to raise the level of his game in the big moments. Harrison as aforementioned served for the second and third sets but was easily broken each time. It should be said that one of the major factors that separates the top guys from everyone else is their ability to play the big points and strive under pressure. If Harrison is unable from a mental standpoint to convert his energy into positive thinking during the big points he is undoubtedly going to struggle.
With all this being said, I really believe Harrison possesses the desire, determination, and work ethic to become a top 10 player. If he is able to overcome his mental demons, develop intelligent game plans to adapt to each opponent, and raise his level of play when it is most needed, I predict Harrison will be in the top 20 before 2012.
2011 US Open Day 1 Preview and Predictions
Mardy Fish v. Tobias Kamke- Enjoying by far the best year of his career, Mardy Fish will be looking to make a deep run in the 2011 US Open. In the first round he will be facing Tobias Kamke from Germany. Kamke will be no light task as the speedy Germany possesses an all around game with no overwhelming weaknesses. Kamke generates a ton of racket speed off both sides and will be looking to dictate play from the baseline by taking the ball early when given the opportunity. With this being said, Fish will undoubtedly have to work but should be able to make it through unscathed.
Prediction:Fish in 3
Roger Federer v. Santiago Giraldo- This first round match is about as lopsided as it gets. Giraldo is a defensive baseliner from Colombia who does not have any weapons to threaten Federer and really prefers the Clay courts to which his style of play is much better suited. Federer should be able to use this match to build form for the rest of the tournament. I don’t see any possible way for Federer to lose this match barring an injury.
Prediction: Federer in 3
Ryan Harrison v. Marin Cilic- This is an extremely intriguing matchup. You have the young American upstart in Ryan Harrison looking to breakthrough in a major for the first time and accelerate his already inclining career path. In contrast, Marin Cilic is attempting to regain the form that cemented his spot in the top 10 and spurred him to an Australian Open semifinal in 2010. Cilic has not won a grand slam match this season and this match very well could lead to his completion of a “grand slam”- losing in the first round of all four majors. Look for Harrison to relentlessly attack the Cilic forehand as it contains a lot of wrist action and is prone to breaking down. Overall, I think Harrison plays a more reliable, gutsy, confidence driven game and at this moment is in a better spot in his career despite being ranked lower.
Prediction: Harrison in 4
Gael Monfils v. Grigor Dimitrov- This is an absolutely fantastic first round match between quite possibly the future of men’s tennis in Dimitrov and arguably the most electrifying player on tour in Monfils. Dimitrov is surely going to give Monfils everything he can handle and really make him work hard to earn his passage through to the 2nd round. This match will really be predicated on whether the passive or aggressive Monfils shows up. If Monfils chooses to camp back 2 miles behind the baseline and retrieve with his exceptional defensive abilities, he really is not setting himself up with the best chance to win. Dimitrov has incredible shot making ability and if he is on, playing defensive is simply not going to work out for Monfils. If Monfils chooses to play more offensively, this could be a slugfest. I expect Monfils will draw substantial confidence from his performance against Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati and in the end find a suitable balance between offense and defense that will be too much for Dimitrov to counter.
Prediction: Monfils in 4
Ivo Karlovic v. Fernando Gonzalez- Many people might be surprised to find out that Fernando Gonzalez in fact still does play tennis being he has only played 6 tour level matches this season. Plagued by a knee injury in the first half of 2011, Gonzo faces a formidable challenge in the big serving Croatian. I really see this match as one that is going to be very difficult for Gonzalez to win. Only having played one hard court match this summer, Gonzo is lacking match play and there is no worse player to try to develop rhythm against than Karlovic.
Prediction: Karlovic in 4 (expect a few tiebreakers)
Kohlschreiber v. Stepanek- Stepanek has enjoyed greater success on the American hard courts than Kohlschreiber this summer and leads their head to head 4-1. Kohlschreiber is a personal favorite of mine but unfortunately the craft and finesse of Stepanek will prove too much for the German.
Prediction: Stepanek in 4 tight sets
Other Matches:
Malisse v. Granollers- Toss up match. Neither player has won a hard court match this summer and Granollers has not even played in a hard court tournament. This is a tough call, but I am going to say the X-man in five unentertaining sets.
Prediction: Malisse in 5
Monaco v. Seppi- This could be a long, drawn out match as both of these guys prefer to grind it out from the baseline. Monaco definitely has a greater ability to turn defense into offense and pull the trigger.
Prediction: Monaco in 5
Rounding off Day 1…
Montanes over Kukushkin in 5, Ferrero over Andujar in 3, Dolgpolov over Gil in 3, Petzschner over Ramos in 3, Fognini over Zeballos in 5, Llodra over Hanescu in 3, Tipsarevic over Gensse in 3, Nishikori over Cipolla in 3, Gasquet over Stakhovsky in 3, Haas over Dasnieres De Veigy in 5, Troicki over Falla in 4, Berdych of Jouan in 3, Anderson over Soeda in 3
Upsets: Sela over Bellucci in 4, Jaziri over De Bakker in 5
French Open Day 1 RoundUp
Mens Singles:
In the mens first round we saw the early performances from David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who both won their matches in straight sets. Ferrer looked incredibly good as he swept past a strong Jarkko Nieminen.
In other results Julien Benneteau performed well in front of his local crowd, while Stanislas Wawrinka looked at home on the French clay. The only real upset of the day was Marin Cilic (19) falling to Spaniard Ruber Ramirez Hidalgo.
Womens Singles:
Julia Goerges has continued her great form with a very strong performance in the first round defeating Mathilda Johansson. Winners also included Samantha Stosur, Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anastasia Pavluchenkova.
The only real upsets on the womens side of the draw was Shahar Peer (19) losing to Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, and Flavia Pennetta (18) being defeated by Varvara Lepchenko in three very tough sets.
Overall:
The performances of the day definitely came from Samantha Stosur who will look to go one step better this year and win the title. While on the mens side David Ferrer was very strong and it will take a lot to defeat him on the clay.
Top Players Dropping Like Flies at Queens Club
A huge amount of the top players were struggling with the tough conditions at Queens Club yesterday. Andy Roddick lost to Dudi Sela 6-4 7-6, Novak Djokovic lost to Xavier Malisse 6-3 4-6 6-2, and Marin Cilic lost to Michael Llodra 7-6 6-2.
The conditions were damp and quick slippery at Queens, but I love how the excuses keep flowing. The players need to also understand that it tough on the grass, especially when your playing to grass players like Llodra and big serving Sela.
Marin Cilic and Sam Querrey Best Match Wimbledon 2009 So Far
The match of the tournament so far has just completed at Wimbledon 2009. Marin Cilic defeats Sam Querrey in 5 sets and 6-4 in the fifth set. Final score was 4-6 7-6 6-3 6-7 6-4.
Querrey started the match in great form getting a set up and 5-2 up in the second, but really let Cilic back into the match. In the last three sets it was easily some of the best tennis I have seen at Wimbledon 2009 so far.
The final set was very tight with both players barely losing a point on serve. However, when push came to shove it came down to Cilic leading 5-4 with Querrey serving. The first few points were tight and then Cilic was up 15-30 and Querrey then seemed to choke and decelerated his serve to double fault for only the 3rd time in the match, which gave Cilic a great opportunity to close out the match and that he did.
Cilic now goes on to play Tommy Haas in the third round, in which Haas is my outside pick for the tournament.
Why Do Lower Level Players No Receive The Coverage They Should Be Getting?
Im sitting in my living room at the moment watching Marin Cilic and Sam Querrey play in the second round of Wimledon 2009, and thinking that it was only a couple of years ago when I saw both these top players playing in the junior event.
I find it funny how the average person who watches tennis really only knows and likes the top players. I wish there would a lot more tennis on tv especially here in the UK and home back in Australia, but I wish they provided more of an acknowledgement to the lower level players and even juniors at these major events and any other event for that matter.
I honestly am really not sure what The Tennis Times will eventually turn in to, but im very keen to provide as much coverage as possible about the players you have never heard of.
Marin Cilic and His Quick Rise To The Top 20
Marin Cilic is a young player from Croatia who currently finds himself at number 14 in the world singles rankings. Marin has had a very quick rise to the top. He was playing junior tennis up until 2006 in which he then received his highest ranking of the world number one junior. While at the same time as holding this junior ranking Marin was also trying to build up a senior career and as many points as possible.
After moving away from junior tennis in 2006 Marin focused on building up as many points as possible on the ATP and ITF tours so that he could really make a living from tennis and live up to his potential. Within his first season on the ITF tour he finished 2006 ranked 173 in the world. This season really pushed his career and pretty much put him where he is today. At the start of 2006 Marin was receiving a lot of wildcards into major tournaments in which he would not have received unless he was the top junior in the world, and he made the most of it. Following in 2007 Marin continued his rise to finish the year at 71 and to now be on the ATP tour fulltime. Finally the growth continued even further to finish 2008 at number 22 and top be now a top player who everyone else wants to beat.
It is amazing how Marin Cilic has risen in the world of tennis and this has really been a steady growth from the age of 16. Marin is now a top 20 player in the world who no matter what tournament he plays is seeded. Im a firm believer that when a player progresses from juniors to seniors they deserve a few wildcards in major tournaments to help them get experience and raise their rankings fast at the same time. However, at the same time the player needs to keep his eye on the ball and actually get strong results on the ITF tours, cause that is really where you learn as a player to fight for every point and every match.
