Marin Cilic has restored some pride in his ATP Finals campaign by defeating Kei Nishikori 3-6, 6-2,6-3, in the final match of the Ivan Lendl Group.
The match was somewhat redundant in terms of the impact it would have on the tournament. Cilic has already crashed out following his losses to Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka earlier this week. Meanwhile Kei Nishikori knew that he will be playing defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals no matter what happens.
Taking these facts into consideration, some might expect both men to take it easy in the match. This was however not in the plans of either man as they pushed each other around the court during a lengthy battle, which lasted seven minutes short of the two-hour mark.
“It was not easy to stay positive and stay motivated. End of the year obviously the body’s feeling a little bit tired. I had to obviously find good energy for today, good motivation.” Said Cilic
The roller coaster match saw momentum come and go for both men. Firstly, it seemed as if Nishikori would cruise to the straight sets win after breaking twice to clinch the first set before he suffered a taste of his own medicine in the second.
Cilic was by far the one who wanted the win more as he chased after a new ranking high. Continuously fist-pumping and cheering himself on, there was no doubt that he wanted to end 2016 with a win. The goal was achieved with the help of 34 winners (21 more than Nishikori) and 16 aces to secure his second win over the Japanese player in as many months.
“At the end of the day I was definitely thinking about that win for the No. 6 position. My best ranking is No. 7. To be able to lift that up on this kind of a tournament, it means a lot. For sure, with that good motivation, I found good energy also in the court after losing that first set to be able to turn it around.” The former US Open champion said.
The season is over yet for the Croat. Cilic will shortly return home to prepare for Croatia’s clash with Argentina in the final of the Davis Cup. Croatia has won the title once before, but have never secured the title on home territory.
Friday’s win for Cilic comes 24 hours before Nishikori faces Djokovic for a place in the final of the $7.5 million tournament. Aware of his upcoming test against a player he has lost to nine consecutive times, Nishikori has insisted that Saturday’s semi-final had no bearing on his final round robin match.
“I wasn’t thinking too much (about Saturday). I just try to focus today’s match. I mean, unfortunately tough loss. But hope I can play better tomorrow.” Said Nishikori.
Suffering five straight losses, Cilic’s win in London in his first ever in the year-end tournament.
