Three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka overcame 33 unforced errors to move past Marin Cilic 7-6(3), 7-6(3), at the ATP Finals.
Wawrinka entered the match with all the momentum on his side after defeating his Croatian opponent six consecutive times since 2010, including this year’s Geneva Open final. On the other hand, Cilic is no push over after securing titles in Cincinnati and Basel since August. It is for this reason why it was hard to separate the two during the early stages of the match. Nine games went by before Wawrinka’s service venerability was exposed. A deep Cilic return rewarded him a breakpoint before the Swiss player battled back to hold serve and force a tiebreaker.
It was a somewhat anticlimactic tiebreaker for Cilic fans as Wawrinka dismantled the former US Open champion in a masterful manner. Benefitting from a few costly unforced errors from across the court, Wawrinka strolled to a 6-3 lead. The three-time major champion took the first set in a way that would make his compatriot Roger Federer proud. Performing his own version of the infamous SARB (Sneak Attack By Roger), the third seed hammered a serve followed by racing towards the net as he roared to the lead.
WATCH: Stan Wawrinka delivers at crucial stages. He has won the first set vs Marin Cilic https://t.co/0H2gUmbfZm https://t.co/OK0N9IOw5x
— Sky Sports Tennis 🎾 (@SkySportsTennis) 16 November 2016
As Wawrinka moved to six games away from reviving his semifinals aspirations, a spot of irony struck the match. The reliable serve of both men began to turn into more of a liability with an exchange of breaks occurring during the first four games of set number two. Besides that slip, the Swiss still had the ability to get under the skin of his opponent. Slamming his racket on the ground, the frustration of Cilic’s inability to generate any momentum on his side become more visible. Still, that incident failed to shine any light between the two players.
Closing in on his 11th career win over the former US Open champion, Wawrinka hammered the final nail on Cilic’s bid by hitting a deep return, prompting an error for the Croat to grant him a 4-2 lead in the second tiebreak. From that point on the man known by many as ‘Stanimal’ powered his way to his first win at this year’s year-end championships.
“It was great match. I’m really happy with the way I played in general.” Said Wawrinka.
“In general, I think the level was really high. I’m happy with many things tonight: the way I was mentally on the court, the way I was moving. I think I was moving great. I had some good defence, some long rallies. I mixed a lot with my game in general. Yeah, it’s a great victory for me.”
Few can question Wawrinka’s desire to shine in London. On the verge of reaching his fourth consecutive semifinal at the end-of-year event, the grateful US Open champion described his presence as the event as a ‘dream.’
“It’s the best tournament you can play in the ATP World Tour. It’s still always a dream for me to be here. I’m trying to enjoy, I’m trying to do the right thing, I’m trying to fight as much as I can to stay alive on the tournament. It was important tonight to play well.” He said.
Cilic pledges to keep working
Guaranteed to not progress to the last four regardless of the outcome of his upcoming clash with Kei Nishikori, Cilic has pledged to continue pushing hard in the tournament despite the upcoming Davis Cup final in his home country.
“I’m going to definitely enjoy also in the match against Kei. I feel that I want to obviously step up a little bit my game. I’m feeling that my tennis is not far from being on a good level. So that’s another good match against a great player to have.” Said Cilic.
“I’m still here in this week. My thoughts are only here. Davis Cup is still ahead. I’m completely focused to stay here in tournament.”
Cilic trails 5-7 to his Japanese rival in the head-to-head, but he did win their most recent meeting at the Basel Open this year.
