TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – Novak Djokovic has not always quite look like a number one seed here at Wimbledon but each time he has faced adversity this tournament, he has showed the resolve of a champion to win. Djokovic faced Marin Cilic (26) in the quarterfinal and he won in 5 sets to reach his 5th consecutive semifinal at The Championships. Cordell Hackshaw
Results, Order of Play, Draws and Interviews from The Championships
Novak Djokovic (1) has not always quite look like a number one seed here at Wimbledon but each time he has faced adversity this tournament, he has showed the resolve of a champion to win. Djokovic faced Marin Cilic (26) in the quarterfinal and after winning the 1st set in emphatic fashion, he rallied after dropping the 2nd and 3rd sets, to take the match in 5 sets, 6-1 3-6 46-7 6-2 6-2. Djokovic is now through to his 5th consecutive Wimbledon semifinals.
After 27 minutes, Djokovic had already captured the 1st set 6-1. It was clear to see why Djokovic has 9-0 record against Cilic. However, Cilic all tournament long has shown excellent form as he took out 6th seed Tomas Berdych in the 3rd round. Cilic broke Djokovic in the 4th game of the 2nd set for a 3-1 lead and maintained this lead to close out the set 6-3 to even the match. Cilic was strutting around the court as though he were the one who has won multi majors. In the 3rd set, Cilic would serve for it up 6-5 after breaking Djokovic in the 11th game. However, Djokovic finally converted on his 7th break point chance of the set to force the tiebreaker. In the breaker, Cilic remained aggressive and was able to get the minibreak for a 5-4 lead. With two serves to close it out, Cilic produced his signature big serves to take the 3rd set 7-64 and a 2-1 sets lead.
Up to this point, Djokovic looked bothered and bewildered on the court. However, being this close to defeat seemed to have suddenly changed Djokovic’s attitude on court. “[I] just held my composure in those moments when the match was going his way, especially when he won the third set,” Djokovic said after the match. In the 4th set, having struggled to break in the last two set, Djokovic quickly broke Cilic twice for a 4-0 lead. He closed out the set 6-2 in just over half an hour.
“What was sad was the beginning of the fourth. I gave him the opportunity to come back in the match. He went to 3-Love, 4-Love lead in that fourth set. From that moment I felt I need to, you know, come back in the game, but sort of I didn’t have any chances to do that unfortunately,” Cilic later stated. Cilic could no longer summon that strength that saw him taking command for much of the match and Djokovic sensed it and he pounced on Cilic’s waning resolve. Djokovic seized control of the 5th set by breaking Cilic in the opening game for a 2-0 lead. Up 4-2, Djokovic again broke Cilic for a 5-2 lead. It had taken Cilic 67 minutes in order to take the 3rd set but within 63 minutes, Djokovic had arrived at match point. With an excellent serve and volley play, Djokovic to the match 6-1 3-6 6-7 6-2.
Djokovic had this to say about the match, “You know, obviously I was frustrated with the fact that I haven’t used the opportunities that were presented, and also the fact that I allowed him to come back into the match. I mean, he did start playing more offense and playing better, but I thought that I allowed him to have this opportunity on the court.” The numbers looked very solid getting 70% of 1st serves in winning 74% of those points and 57% on 2nd serve. Djokovic had 32 winners and errors. He was 7/19 on break points but only 1/9 in sets 2 and 3. Cilic, on the other hand, was playing high risk tennis. He got 56% of his 1st serve in and won 69% of those points and 41% on 2nd serve. Cilic only broke Djokovic twice in the match. Djokovic will play Grigor Dimitrov (11) in the semifinals. Djokovic has a 3-1 lead in their head-to-head.