LONDON: Sometimes it only takes one special run at a tournament to elevate a player to the next level of their game and fourth seed Marin Cilic seems destined to do this at the Aegon Championships.
Strolling towards the semifinals, the former US Open champion has only dropped a total of six points behind his first serve in three matches (50/56). His latest conquest was America’s Donald Young. Cilic’s consistency proved too much for the world No55, who produced two error-stricken service games (one in each set) to go crashing out of the tournament.
“I’m playing really well on grass. Especially also considering my form the last couple of months, I’m getting better and better in my own game.” Cilic reflected following his latest win.
At The Queen’s Club, Cilic was playing in his eighth ATP quarter-final of 2017, fifth since April. The confidence boost is noticeable to those listening to him speak. He is more affirmative and confident in how he speaks about his game. There are no doubts spoken by him. Just mentioning of opportunities to improve his game ever further to compete with the best in the world.
“I think I played maybe the best tennis so far in Queen’s up to today, looking back on all the years.” Said Cilic.
“Considering all my game, I’m feeling quite well on most of the shots. But I definitely feel that even in some areas I can improve and I can even be better.”
Top-5 within sight
At seventh in the world, Cilic is now targeting a goal that has eluded him during his entire career. A top-five position. In November he got agonizingly close when he rose to sixth, but didn’t generate enough points to crack the milestone.
There is no fear from the 28-year-old, who is relishing a potential showdown with a member of the ‘big four’ at Wimbledon. Cilic has a losing head-to-head against each member and Andy Murray is the only player he has beaten on multiple occasions.
“I think overall when I would be playing my best, I think I could match them up, definitely. But overall, during the course of the year, it was difficult for me to keep it up.”
Guiding the Croat is former Swedish tennis legend Jonas Bjorkman. During his career Bjorkman won a total of 60 ATP titles (6 in singles and 54 in doubles). Assessing their partnership so far, Cilic credits him for making him ‘mentally stronger.’
“I’m being a little bit more motivated, and that is driving me a little bit more to be aggressive on the court, which is extremely important in my own sense.” The world No.7 explained.
“I think we have improved this consistency part, since we started to work together in the summer last year. I think I have never played this consistently good, so that’s a huge step forward. “
Hoping to continue his Queen’s run on Saturday, the next challenge will be Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller. A 6’2” left-hander known for his blistering serve. Some minor adjustments will be made, but he already has the advantage of defeating a left hander (Donald Young). The latest in a series of confidence boosts.
