TENNIS US OPEN –Tomas Berdych (6) beat youngster Dominic Thiem in straight sets to set up a rematch with Marin Cilic (14) who got his first win even over Gilles Simon (26). Cilic beat Berdych at last Wimbledon in straight sets.
For the last two majors, Tomas Berdych (6) had been playing well in the tournament but then got dismissed just as the tournaments were getting near the business end. At Wimbledon, he lost in straight sets to Marin Cilic (14). Even Berdych admits as much that Cilic has been steadily improving over the past year. Now they will both meet in the quarterfinals at the Open for a chance of a semifinal spot as they both got past their Round of 16 opponents. Berdych handled the up and coming youngster Dominic Thiem in straight sets 6-1 6-2 6-4. Cilic’s victory was far from routine as he had to get past his own mental blocks as he dismissed Giles Simon (26) for his first time in five meetings in 5 sets 5-7 7-6 6-4 3-6 6-3.
Berdych seemed to have started his match battling with nerves for he was down 0-40 in his opening service game. Those nerves soon disappeared as he laid down the law with his serve to keep him out of trouble. He would face 7 break points altogether in the set and on each one, he served his way out of trouble. Thiem had no answer to the Berdych problem on court for despite his early break opportunities, he found himself struggling to hold serve. In about an hour’s time, Berdych had a 2-0 lead 6-1 6-2, breaking Thiem 4 times in the process. After the 1st set, Thiem never saw another break opportunity in the match. In the 3rd set, Thiem was able to hold serve with less of a struggle but nonetheless broken again in the 5th game. Berdych served out the match 6-1 6-2 6-4.
“I felt pretty good. There was one point which was very important, and I think it was definitely the key. It was really the first game where I was 40-Love down on my serve … [I]t could have been completely opposite way . You know, probably still might be on court. Really that’s the moment which probably for him in these kind of matches is something when you don’t make it, it can really make a big difference,” Berdych said after the match. Berdych had a great serving day winning 85% of his 1st serves and 57% on his 2nd serve. He had 24 winners to 23 errors. “I’m hitting the ball nice and clean. That’s what I need. That’s what’s good for my game,” said Berdych after the match. He next faces Cilic in a rematch of their Wimbledon 4th round match where Cilic won instraight sets.
Cilic had another marathon match against Simon as in their four previous encounters. This was their third time meeting at a major; second for the year. However, this time, Cilic was the victor. He dropped the opening set 5-7 but came back to take the 2nd set in the breaker. Cilic used this momentum to finally secure a break of Simon’s serve and take the set 6-3 and a 2-1 set lead in the match. Simon not one to be easily dismissed at this stage in a tournament, broke early in the 4th set for a 3-1 lead and maintained this lead to serve out the set 6-3.
“I knew that Gilles, he likes tough conditions. He’s grinder, counterpuncher, runs a lot and doesn’t mind,” said Cilic. Things remained even in the 5th set until Cilic broke in the 8th game for a 5-3 lead and then served it out with a forehand volley at net for the win 5-7 7-6 6-4 3-6 6-3. “I know what to expect against him, and today was no surprise for me. Even if I always beated him before, it was always very long and always very, very hard. I think he just deserve … to win this time,” Simon said.
After the match, Cilic stated, “I’m playing more consistent in this last four, five months. I think overall I improved my game and I learned actually to play with my sort of new style. I’m serving a bit better than what I used to a couple of years ago.” Cilic had 23 aces for the match and 4 double faults, which added to his total of 70 winners and 76 errors. He won 81% of his 1st serve points and 57% on his 2nd serve. Regarding his upcoming matchup against Berdych in the quarterfinal, “Tomas is very dangerous player. He’s very consistent throughout the year. He’s always pushing you to play your best to actually beat him. I hope I’m going to be on a good level of tennis if we gonna match up. Definitely very interesting too. I mean, for me as well he’s not unbeatable, but definitely very tough task.” Berdych leads the head to head 5-3.
