Cilic confident ahead of Sunday’s Australian Open men’s final
Marin Cilic has said he is “really excited” about competing in the Australian Open final after booking his place in Sunday’s showpiece in emphatic fashion.
Cilic, the sixth seed from Croatia, was in imperious form to end the impressive run of unseeded Briton Kyle Edmund, claiming a 6-2, 7-6, 6-2 win in two hours and 18 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena yesterday.
Cilic now awaits the winner of today’s second semi-final between defending champion Roger Federer and 21-year-old South Korean Hyeon Chung.
A showdown with Federer will present Cilic an opportunity to avenge his loss to the Swiss in the Wimbledon final last year.
“Overall I’m feeling really good,” Cilic said.
“Now I have two days off before the final.
“I’m quite happy with the performance. Obviously when playing in the semi-finals when there is a lot at stake and not losing a serve during the match is big.
“I’m feeling really good physically, even though I had few matches that went more than three hours. I think I’ve played a great tournament so far.”
Based on his performance against Edmund, it is little wonder Cilic is in confident mood ahead of the final, where he will be looking to win a second grand slam title following his 2014 US Open triumph.
Cilic broke Edmund’s serve four times and nullified his powerful forehand, while the Croatian faced just two break points on his own serve all match, both of which came in the opening game.
“I’m playing much, much more aggressive,” Cilic, 29, said. “I’m feeling that I am, for most of the shots, hitting them really, really good. Feeling really excited about the final, too.”
For Edmund, the defeat marked the end of a breakthrough tournament for the British No 2, who defeated world No 12 Kevin Anderson in the first round and third seed Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals.
Edmund was restricted towards the end of the semi-final by what looked like a groin injury, but he refused to make any excuses after the match.
“Yeah, there’s something, but whatever,” Edmund, 23, said.
“I’m definitely disappointed about it, but it’s one of those things where I have to look at the whole week.
“It’s been so good. One of the biggest tournaments of the world, and making a good run and beating top players.”
While Edmund may be disappointed to exit the Australian Open, he will take comfort in the fact that his deep run in Melbourne will result in a rise up the world rankings.
Ranked No 49 before the tournament, Edmund is projected to climb inside the top 30.
Cilic, meanwhile, will move up from sixth to No 3.
Chung will also experience a big jump up the rankings regardless of the outcome in today’s semi-final.
The world No 58 is set to join Edmund in the top 30.
As last year’s champion, and as such will not be gaining additional points, Federer will remain at No 2 in the world – behind Spain’s Rafael Nadal – even if he were to defend his title.