CILIC WANTS A HOME RUN

MARIN CILIC hopes to make more Wimbledon memories back home after becoming the second Croat to reach the final.

The 2014 US Open winner (right) saw off No.24 seed Sam Querrey 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-5 to reach his first final at a record 11th attempt.

His former coach Goran Ivanisevic won in 2001 to spark wild celebrations in his homeland. And the world No.6, now 28, said: “Everyone knows where they were when Goran played. I was in a tennis summer camp, close to my home town. In a big group of children, we watched Goran. It was a big celebration.

“At that time I was still a kid, not even 13. I was just enjoying tennis. It would be a dream come true for me to win Wimbledon here. It would mean the absolute world to me.”

Cilic has a losing 6-1 record against Roger Federer – including the quarter-finals here last year when he had match points – but beat the Swiss in semi-final in New York on his way to the title.

“It’s a mountain to climb,” he said. “Twelve months ago I was one point away from winning over here against him. I believe I can win it.”