Cilic, Muller in semis clash
London, June 23: Marin Cilic set up a semi-final clash with Gilles Muller at Queen’s Club as the Croatian powered to 6-4, 7-5 victory over Donald Young on Friday.
Having lifted the Queen’s trophy in 2012, Cilic fancies his chances of adding a second title as the highest ranked player left in the draw following the shock exits of Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic.
The world number seven has yet to drop a set in three matches en route to his fourth semi-final appearance at the Wimbledon warm-up event in west London.
Cilic, who also finished as Queen’s runner-up in 2013, was pushed hard by Young, but the former US Open champion fired 11 aces to see off the American world number 55 in one hour and 26 minutes.
“I’m playing really well this week. I’m feeling great on the court,” said Cilic, who is chasing his second ATP title this year.
Luxumbourg’s Muller is through to his first Queen’s semi-final after defeating 2010 champion Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Muller has won the first two ATP Tour titles of his career this year, helping him climb to a career-high ranking of 26, and he now has a seven-match winning streak on grass.
The 34-year-old’s huge serve was on full display when he won the ‘sHertogenbosch title on grass last week and once again he used it to devastating effect against Querrey.
Querrey, the 2010 Queen’s champion, is no slouch on grass either, but Muller held his nerve in two tight sets to clinch his first win over the world number 28.
Federer, Gasquet
in last eight Halle: Eight-time champion Roger Federer reached the quarter-finals of the Halle grass court tournament for a 15th time with a 7-6 (4), 64 win over German serveand-volleyer Mischa Zverev on Thursday.
Federer, the 18-time Grand Slam title winner who is building up for a shot at an eighth Wimbledon title next month, next faces 2016 Halle champion Florian Mayer for a place in the semi-finals.
The 134th-ranked German made the quarter-finals by seeing off French sixth seed Lucas Pouille 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-3.
Later on Friday, Richard Gasquet edged past Robin Haase 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 to seal a quarters berth.
In the day’s other match Karen Khachanov fought past Andrey Rublev 7-6 (10/8), 4-6, 6-3 to enter the last eight stage.