World Tour Finals player profile: Marin Cilic

                                                                  Marin Cilic
Cilic 1
Season in review: This time last year, Cilic was returning from a four-month suspension and just trying to get in some match practice to position himself well for 2014. Whatever he did at the end of 2013, it certainly worked out. The ninth-ranked Croat was not exactly consistent this season, but any year in which you win a Grand Slam has to be considered a great one by anyone’s standards–especially for someone who is not a staple of the top five and had never previously won a major. That was the case for Cilic, who caught fired in New York en route to a stunning U.S. Open triumph.

Cilic underwhelmed at the Masters 1000s throughout 2014, but it was a typical year for him at the 250-point level. He won Zagreb (as usual) and Delray Beach, and his most recent outing resulted in a title on the indoor hard courts of Moscow. Cilic scheduled himself well after the emotional and physical punishment at the U.S. Open, entering just three fall-swing tournaments. He’ll have plenty in the tank for London despite having played 72 matches this season.

2014 record: 54-18

Fall record (post-U.S. Open): 7-2

Best tournament: Won U.S. Open
d. Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 3-1 ret.
d. Illya Marchenko 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-4
d. Kevin Anderson 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
d. Gilles Simon 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
d. Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(4)
d. Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
d. Ke Nishikori 6-3, 6-3, 6-3

Biggest win at different tournament: d. Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4 in Rotterdam quarterfinals

World Tour Finals appearances: 0
World Tour Finals record: N/A

Record against other World Tour Finals qualifiers: 13-43
vs. Novak Djokovic: 0-10
vs. Roger Federer: 1-5
vs. Stan Wawrinka: 2-7
vs. Andy Murray: 2-10
vs. Tomas Berdych: 4-5
vs. Kei Nishikori: 3-5
vs. Milos Raonic: 1-1

Quotable: “This was one of my childhood dreams. The ATP World Tour Finals is for sure one of the most interesting tournaments of the year. It is watched all over the world and brings a big attendance to all the matches. It will be a big honor for me to participate there.”

6 Comments on World Tour Finals player profile: Marin Cilic

  1. I have a hunch Marin will perform well at the 02. He now has the experience of winning on the big stage and the confidence that comes from that – something which was lacking before.

  2. Haven’t checked the draw yet (I believe it is out by now) but fully expect Wawrinka and Berdych to be in Federer’s WTF group. Muzza in Nole’s.

    Out of Raonic, Nishikori and Cilic, tougher call but I’ll go with Raonic to round out Fed’s section.

    I’ll go have a look to see how I did…

  3. Wow. Could not have been more wrong. Nishi and Murray in Fed’s half with Wawrinka, Berdych and Cilic in Nole’s.

    Well I could have. Milos is in Fed’s half.

    Tough draw for Roger.

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