Andy Murray and Marin Cilic will be facing each other for the 15th time in their careers when they conclude the first two days of round-robin action at the World Tour Finals on Monday night.
Murray is leading the head-to-head series 11-3, but it is a much more competitive 6-3 on hard courts. They have squared off a whopping four times in London (and it would be five times if not for a Cilic withdrawal at Queen’s Club in 2011), albeit never at the year-end championship. Murray prevailed in a five-set Davis Cup rubber at Wimbledon in 2007, in the Wimbledon fourth round five years later, and at Queen’s Club in 2013 and 2016. Their most recent encounter, however, went Cilic’s way via a 6-4, 7-5 decision in the final of this summer’s Cincinnati Masters.
That was a rare occasion on which Murray failed to capture a title. The Scot has ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the world not only thanks to Novak Djokovic’s slump, but also because he has won seven of his last nine tournaments and has failed to reach a title match (lost to Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open) only once since falling to Rafael Nadal in the Monte-Carlo semis way back in mid-April. Murray clinched the top spot last week in Paris, where he got a walkover from Milos Raonic in the semifinals before holding off John Isner 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4.
Cilic also had plenty on the line in Paris, as his place in the World Tour Finals had not yet been clinched. The seventh-ranked Croat picked up a crucial third-round victory over fellow London contender David Goffin and upset Djokovic 6-4, 7-6(2) before succumbing to Isner 6-4, 6-3 in the semis. Cilic is 47-21 on the season and owns a recent title from the Swiss Indoors Basel to go along with his Cincinnati triumph.
This is a dangerous matchup for Murray, who is just 11-11 lifetime at the year-end championship–including a mere 8-10 at the 02 Arena. He is, however, an amazing 73-9 this season and has apparently forgotten how to lose tennis matches. Look for Murray to survive a competitive and high-quality contest.
Pick: Murray in 3
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Murray in three
will be a hard fought match, but the local boy in straight.
Muzza has been extremely hot lately, but Cilic did beat him in Cincinnati in August. The Croat has also a decent serve though Muzza is very good returner.
I’ll expect a tough battle, but Muzza to win!
agreed!
Murray in 2, unless Cilic can take a tie-breaker.