RAFA WILL UP HIS AGGRESSION IN CLASH WITH CILIC
TOP seed Rafael Nadal has vowed to take his trademark aggression to another level, starting with today’s blockbuster quarter- final against big serving Marin Cilic.
While pleased with his performances during the first week of the Australian Open, the Spanish superstar said he still had plenty of room for improvement.
“It is the second week and the quarterfinals already,” Nadal said.
“Now is the moment to make a step forward, to play again more aggressive.
“I know I have a tough opponent in front now with Cilic. I need to play aggressive and play well. That’s what I’m going to try and do.”
Nadal is coming off a physically taxing four- set win over No. 24 seed Diego Schwartzman.
The world No. 1 said he was now bracing for another torrid battle against a player he has a 5- 1 head to head winning record over.
“All the matches are tough, and if you are in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, you can’t expect an easy match,” Nadal said.
“Against Marin will be a tough one, but at the same time, is a beautiful match to play against a great player. “We know each other. “We played a couple of times already.
“And, yeah, I know I need to play well. “That’s the real thing. “I know I need to play well. I hope to be ready to make that happen.”
Talk of a dream final between Nadal and Roger Federer is getting louder by the day at Melbourne Park.
Some are even speaking like it is inevitable, but Cilic may have something to say about that.
The No. 6 seed is in form but will today face off against Nadal without a great deal of fanfare.
When asked whether he felt like he was flying under the radar at Melbourne Park this week, despite his status as a grand slam winner, Cilic replied: “I don’t know.
“I mean, there are a lot of guys in the draw.
“Still Roger, Rafa , Novak, a lot of big stars of the game.
“But, you know, I’m just trying to focus on myself.”