Guido Pella def. (3) Marin Cilic 3-6, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-5
One of the tournament favorites, Marin Cilic joined a growing list of seeds exiting Wimbledon early. The Croat, seeded to meet Roger Federer in the top-half semifinals, crashed out to an unlikely spoiler, Guido Pella, from Argentina.
Pella is no grass-court specialist. He had won just two matches in three tournaments going into the Championships, while Cilic triumphed at Queen’s Club a week and a half ago–beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Pella had also never won a match at Wimbledon prior to this year.
The match was business as usual for the No. 3 seed through Wednesday evening, but then the rains came. Officials, thinking perhaps to see the match completed on Wednesday, allowed play to resume. The decision was risky, given that play was suspended on all other outside courts. Cilic paid the price, because even though officials eventually called play for the evening, they did not do so before Cilic found himself trailing by a break at 4-3.
The two men were back on Court 1 on Thursday, with Pella holding onto the break to take the third set. From there, Cilic gradually started to go off his game. He saved a pair of match points and then a third, but on Pella’s fourth the Croat pulled up on a forehand and dumped it into the net.
Pella will take on American Mackenzie McDonald in a stunning third-round matchup.
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i almost can’t even believe it
Same. That result just felt weird and wrong. Especially with the rain delay. And just because it’s Cilic at Wimbledon and I don’t think he had ever been better prepared to take a crack at Wimbledon than this year.
Yeah. I watched it and I STILL can’t believe it. He was CRUISING yesterday.
Really unfortunate loss for Cilic, who looked to be a real contender here. But props to Pella, who came out and played great today. Dangerous tourney so far for top seeds.
good result for Fed
No doubt, though SF is still a ways off.
Of course, if he can continue to play like he did in R2 it may not matter who is on the other side of the net.
Good chance for McKenzie McDonald next round!!
tough match to call
Impressive win over Jarry for Mackenzie. Even more impressive for Pella! lo
So yeah I don’t know who wins.
Pella is the new Cechinatto. Despite Croat’s doubtful level, the Argentine played some solid tennis.
Once again, Masters are very different from slams. Look at Coric, Cilic, Lopez last year…
you picking him to reach SFs?
He certainly has a better chance against Pella than he did against Cilic.
yep!
Mackie will take down Pella.
Cilic and muguruza and soon zverev are all costing me a lot of money. I did however win a lot live betting against jack sock when he was up 2 sets for +900. Multiple times jack sock crewed me over being up 2 sets and the wind up losing so I decided to put $150 on that.
smart play against Sock
Cilic has a great serve and great shots overall but he is an awkward mover and he always looks like he’s lacking confidence in himself plus he is very prone to errors.
I didn’t think that winning Queens was anything to go by for Wimbledon. Only the very, very top players have won both and their winning of Queens had no impact on their performance at Wimbledon. When Querrey won Queens in 2010, people thought he was a contender for Wimbledon but he lost in the Rnd of 16.
Seems totally logical Cilic was a big contender,three time Slam finalist who loves grass
Big Al, Cilic made the QF 2014-2016 then the final last year. Before that, he went out in the 1st round a few times and made the 4th round a couple of times. It’s not enough to LIKE grass. 😉
Some would say it’s his best surface.Yes I know Queens isn’t an indicator of Wimbledon,but you can’t ignore his record in other Slams.
Cilic wins big here and there but he is very inconsistent. I wouldn’t pick him to win any title.