It will be a showdown between two U.S. Open champions when Andy Murray and Marin Cilic make their final preparations for 2016’s last Grand Slam while battling for the Western & Southern Open title on Sunday afternoon.
Murray, the 2012 winner at Flushing Meadows, is dominating the head-to-head series 11-2–although it stands at a more competitive 5-2 on hard courts. Cilic’s two victories have come at the 2009 U.S. Open and indoors in Rotterdam two years ago. They most recently faced each other earlier this summer on the lawn of Queen’s Club, where Murray survived a semifinal affair 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
That victory is part of the world No. 2’s amazing 22-match winning streak, which features titles at Queen’s Club, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. Getting right back in action following his grueling effort in Rio de Janeiro, Murray has endured no trouble whatsoever at the Cincinnati Masters. The Scot is one victory away from lifting another winner’s trophy having taken out Juan Monaco, Kevin Anderson, Bernard Tomic, and Milos Raonic all in straight sets.
If Murray is running on fumes due to such a loaded schedule, his opponent has to be fatigued for a different reason. Whereas the top seed beat the rain by finishing off Raonic in routine fashion, Saturday’s second semifinal between Cilic and Grigor Dimitrov fell victim to more bad weather. It finally ended well after midnight, with the 14th-ranked Croat getting the job done 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 after twice recovering from a break down in the third set. Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open champion, preceded his defeat of Dimitrov with wins over Viktor Troicki, Fernando Verdasco, Tomas Berdych, and Borna Coric (by retirement).
“It’s a big win for me; first time in a Masters 1000 final,” the No. 12 seed commented. “I’m looking forward to it; I’m feeling good on the court…. I’m excited to be in the final playing against Andy. He is in great form–playing great tennis. I hope tomorrow I’ll play a good match and I know I’ll have a good chance if I play well.”
Unfortunately for Cilic, nobody on tour seems to have a particularly good chance against Murray right now. The fact that Murray is an absolute veteran of Masters 1000 finals (with 12 titles, including two in Cincinnati) will not help the underdog; not will the fact that Cilic has only 15 hours of recovery in between matches.
Pick: Murray in 2
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WWW?
Murray in two but vamos Cilic!!
Do you guys know if Rafa wins todays match..he will be within 1000 points of taking No 1 from Novak..There is a real chance of Novak losing No 1 this year..He is defending 2000 pts at USO..Murray barely did anything last year at USO..
I hope Murray ends year as No 1..
Sorry I meant Murray above..I was not in dreamland about Rafa being in position to take No 1..or maybe I was 🙂
On ESPN they were talking about Murray having a chance to be #1. He’s the hot player right now.
I am grateful that Rafa is still in the top four. Considering everything, that’s about the best we could hope for.
I am hoping that Rafa can one or two more slams before he’s done.
Not since John McEnroe has anybody been worse for the sport. Hope to never see him at #1 or dominating like Nole.
I thought you only disliked Fedal? Now it seems even Muzz is in your bad books! So I deduce you are a Djok fan.
#SherlockHolmes
Sanju (AT 2:41 PM),
If Murray wins today, he would be 815 points behind Djoko in the Race to London. The Race has nohing to do with ‘defending points’. To take #1 from Djoko, Murray has to win 816 points more than Djoko between today’s victory and the end of the year.
Live Race rankings:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqZWyXZXEAQFDKI.jpg
I have already posted this information here. All credit goes to me for being first to make this information known on TennGrand.
All hail Hawkeye.
https://tenngrand.com/2016/08/20/cincinnati-sf-previews-predictions-murray-vs-raonic-cilic-vs-dimitrov/comment-page-1/#comment-142309
To add to My post AT 8:09 PM, Augusta is incorrect.
Murray can pass Nole by winning as little as 815 points more than Nole if he wins today depending on where he earns his points.
I don’t know where you got those numbers, but they are far off, Nole is still over 5000 points ahead of Andy.
you are talking of rolling ranking points but hawkeye and augusta are referring to YTD ranking points which is what is relevant for year end ranking.
#ritb showing off she knows how #1 ranking is determined vs race!!!
#RealRITBTryingToOneUpTheBest
#Pathetic
you know hawkeye I am reminded of the infinite images in two parallel mirrors. I reflect you, you reflect me and it goes on ad infinitum.
By the way I am happy to see you got back your tinhat from Alyssa. You probably feel lost without it.
You are wrapped from head to toe ritb.
That would be Egyptianmummyhawkeye, not me or RITB. The pyramid of ancienthawkeye is full of tin stuff and there is a whole gallery devoted to tin hats. Apparently your ancestor loved tin hats just as much as you do!
You are wrapped in straw ritb.
Mary W (AT 1:44 AM),
You are correct.
To become YE #1, Murray has to win 1215 points more than Djoko between this week and the end of the year.
The Race to London on August 22, 2016:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cqh1DFXW8AAY83T.jpg
I meant to say that I hope Rafa can WIN one or two more slams.
As for my prediction, I think Murray will continue his winning ways and get it done in 2 sets.
Let’s go Cilic!! Up a set on Murray. Take your first masters title Marin!! Allez!!
Would certainly have picked Murray in 2, but I’ve just started watching the 2nd set so I know Cilic won the 1st…still..Murray in 3.
I just started watching and was surprised to see that Murray lost the first set. Cilic is looking sharp.
Wow! Cilic just broke Murray and will now serve for the match!
Murray just doesn’t look sharp and Cilic is blasting forehand winners.
Pliskova and Cilic it was. New masters winners 🙂 Congrats to them!
Cilic zoning like when he won USO.
A win today would make him the only active player younger than Nole to win a Masters.
Allez Marin!
Cilic with 15 forehand winners in this match. It looked like Andy was out of gas in this match. I don’t think this is going to change his prospects for the USO. I am sure he would have preferred to win, but I think he and Novak go in as co-favorites for the USO.
Congratulations to Cilic for his first Masters title.
Vamos Cilic!
So happy for him for winning his first Masters! Very well done! It seems that he’s now in very good form, like his USO2014 maybe? His best part of the season normally starts on grass, he’s a fast court player no doubt about that.
Its been ten years since a non Big four won Cincy (2006 by Roddick I think) – something special there for Cilic. He now moves to no.9 in the race and the rankings. Great for him.
Lucky,
I thought you would be happy about Cilic winning! He is certainly looking good. I did say in my pre-tournament predictions, that there was an opportunity for someone outside the top four to win this tournament. I just did not expect it to be Cilic. But good for him for getting back into some really good form.
He really looked like he wanted it. I did think Andy would win, but the Olympics seemed to catch up with him. I don’t think it will change his prospects at the USO. He will go in as one of the favorites.
It will be interesting to see if Cilic can get a good result at the USO. This win can only help, but everyone will be there at the USO, except for Fed and Berdy.
Vamos Cilic!!! I had predicted at the start of the tournament, Muzz was unlikely to win. However he is still a favorite for USO along with Djok. Now maybe Cilic also has a good chance. But if Rafa was really only just tired at Cincy, then he is my top favorite for USO. Even if his forehand is not in full flight, his backhand is clearly a weapon. If his forehand DTL works, he will beat Djok for certain.
Big win for Cilic. Very dangerous player at USO. Yet another successful player willing to try new coaches to continue to adapt and improve.
Murray still now 1215 points behind Nole in the Race.
Cool handshake from Murray at the net.
#DropTheMic
Ana Ivanovic and Sloane Stephens have been following hawkeye’s advice with little success. Hilarious!!!!
Mary W (10:25 PM),
Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard too! 🙂
#hawkeye showing off he knows how #1 ranking is determined in the event of a tie!!!
#RealRafanTryingToOneUpLoyal
#Pathetic
10th in the race; 9th in ranking.
I add the Race table:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqamLTmXYAAzuuu.jpg