Čilić will play in the second round on Thursday, August 30 against Hubert Hurkacz.
Croatia’s best singles tennis player Marin Čilić advanced to the second round of the final Grand Slam tournament of the season, the US Open, after defeating Romania’s Marius Copil (ATP-82) 7-5, 6-1, 1-1, reports Gol.hr on August 29, 2018.
In the second round, Čilić will play against the Polish qualifier Hubert Hurkacz (ATP-109), who defeated Italian tennis player Stefano Travaglia (ATP-141) 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (6), 3-0.
The 2014 US Open winner opened the duel poorly and after just over half an hour, was on the verge of losing the first set. Specifically, Copil had two breaks with a 5-1 advantage and 0-40, and three sets points on Čilić’s service. However, the No. 7 player in the world picked up his game, controlled his mistakes, and achieved a complete turnaround.
Čilic saved two more set points on the service in the ninth game when Copil missed 15-40. In six consecutive games, Čilić won the first set in 54 minutes – and that streak did not stop. Čilic won the first five games of the second set, in which Copil began to experience pain in the thigh muscles of his left leg.
Copil looked for medical assistance between the second and third set, and after returning from the dressing room, the Romanian player tried to play two games but ultimately decided to surrender.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=CTqyZchLZUA
“He played very well at the beginning, put pressure on me and it was not easy to get in. However, in such difficult conditions, it is possible that an injury may occur. I wish him a quick recovery,” said the 7th-seed of the US Open at the end of the match.
“The start was not good, but after that it got better. In the end I can say that I’m happy with how I played,“ added Čilić.
“I have incredible memories of 2014 and I always feel good about this place. Here you always want to be the best and give yourself a chance for a great result. I will try to entertain the viewers and go further in the tournament,” Čilić concluded after reaching his 30th victory at the US Open (30-8).
In the second round, Čilić awaits a player who just played his first match at Grand Slam tournaments this season, has gone to Roland Garros and is now at the US Open. Huber Hurkacz got a taste of Čilić in Paris, where Marin celebrated 6-2, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5.
