Čilić will kick off his 2018 US Open on August 27th.
Ace, forehand, ace, forehand.
A fantastic game, amazing tranquility, concentration, and mental stability adorned Čilić in 2014 for two very special weeks. He broke Simon, which was followed by wins against the then world No. 7 Berdych and world No. 3 Federer to reach the Grand Slam final. In straight sets, Čilić easy defeated the 10th seed Nishikori.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=8jOg01tSlHE
This is precisely what the US Open looked like four years ago when Čilić claimed the US Open title. He also became the second Croatian tennis player in history to win a Grand Slam tournament in singles.
So, what’s changed since then? 24 Sata reports the details on August 24, 2018.
Čilić is now steadily in the ATP top 10, he was the third best tennis player in the world for a while and advanced to the final of two more Grand Slam tournaments. Painful blisters ultimately gave the great Roger Federer the Wimbledon win, and in the Australian Open, Federer was just great. Since his impeccable US Open win, the entire tennis world has begun to perceive the Croatian player as someone who can reach the end of almost every tournament. And behind him is a very good season.
In addition to the aforementioned Australian Open, Čilić played the quarter-final of Roland Garros and defeated Novak Djokovic in the Queen’s Club final. His only real gaffe this year happened at Wimbledon, when he was, quite inexplicably, eliminated in the second round.
Though a bad day can happen to anyone, after Wimbledon, Marin’s game was high, though not at the top level we know him to be. In Toronto, he was eliminated by Rafa Nadal, after he was much better on the court for a set and a half, and in Cincinnati, Djokovic came out on top in three sets. Both of Marin’s rivals went on to win the tournament.
Marin has played aggressive games on many occasions, and in contrast to the memory of his acting critics, he’s rescued himself from difficult situations and showed mental strength.
However, the main thing that separates Čilić from Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic (or what separates him from ‘the best’) is his ability to be the best when it is the hardest, and most importantly, to repeat it.
Given the unpredictable nature of his game, it is difficult to know the outcome of the upcoming US Open. Čilić might meet his end already in the first round, as Marius Copil showed his worth in Cincinnati. Or maybe he’ll pas without any major problems, and meet Federer or Djokovic in the semi-final, where everything is possible.
Translated from 24 Sata
