Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (9-11), 3-6 Roger Federer (Wimbledon QF)
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| Federer after the win. Photo by Guardian |
The first
set was very tight both in terms of quality and the scoreline, with both
players unable to make a breakthrough on their return games. Cilic was unable
to earn any break point opportunities, and Federer was able to earn 2 of them
at 2-2. However, Cilic saved both of them with good follow-ups on his strong
serves. As there were no breaks of service, the set proceeded to a tiebreak to
decide its winner. Cilic jumped to a 5-0 lead at the start of the tiebreak
after he won both of Federer’s service points. Eventually, Cilic did not
disappoint when he closed out the tiebreak 7-4 to win the 1st set
7-6.
Cilic then
made the first breakthrough in the second set when he broke Federer’s serve
after an exchange of service holds to start the match. Cilic consolidated his
break of service with a tough service hold after he had to save break point. Since
there were no more breaks of serve in the set, Cilic won the set 6-4 thanks to
the sole break of the match so far.
Federer
almost went down a break again at 3-3 in the 3rd set when he went
down 0-40 in his service game, but he maintained his composure and held his
serve by winning 5 straight points. Federer then broke Cilic’s serve for the
first time in the match to take a 5-3 lead in the third set and to give himself
a chance to comeback and win the match. Federer managed to serve out the set
6-3 and lessen the deficit to 2 sets to 1.
Cilic
almost drew the first blood again, but failed to capitalise on his 2 break
points at 2-1 and the match remained on serve thanks to 2 forced errors from
him. This time, it was Cilic who saved 2 break points, saving both with aces,
to hold his service. At 4-5, when Federer was serving to stay in the match,
Cilic earned a match point at 30-40 but lost it with yet another forced error.
Serving to stay in the match again, Cilic earned his 2nd match point
but Federer saved it with an impressive ace. Federer finally got his first set
points at 6-4 in the tiebreak but lost it with an unforced error and an ace
from Cilic. Federer saved another match point, and finally the set earned a
winner after Cilic lost his service point at 10-9 to gift the set to Federer
and level the match at 2 sets all.
After 7
straight holds of serve to start the final set, Federer made the first
breakthrough when he broke Cilic’s solid serve with some excellent forehands to
allow him to serve for the match. Federer did not disappoint the crowd that was
behind him, by serving the match out having saved 3 match points in the 4th
set.
Federer
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Cilic
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Aces
|
27
|
23
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DFs
|
0
|
7
|
1st Serve
|
63%
|
57%
|
1st Serve Won
|
79%
|
82%
|
2nd Serve Won
|
59%
|
54%
|
Net Points
|
18/27
|
26/39
|
Break Points
|
2/9
|
1/8
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Winners
|
67
|
59
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Unforced Errors
|
24
|
36
|
Points Won
|
170
|
162
|