Dangerous Cilic through in straight sets
KEI NISHIKORI became the second-biggest casualty of the men’s draw after crashing out in the third round to Roberto Bautista Agut. The ninth seed has typically struggled at Wimbledon, having never gone beyond the fourth round, and was beaten in four sets yesterday, going down 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3. For the Japanese player, it meant a failure to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time since the US Open in 2015. He said: ‘It’s not easy on grass. I don’t have good results on it. I’ve got to work on it.’ Spaniard Bautista Agut, the 18th seed, goes through to face Marin Cilic of Croatia, who reached the final at Queen’s and is yet to drop a set here after beating American Steve Johnson 6-4, 7-6, 6-4. Johnson, whose father died suddenly in May, broke down in tears during a change of ends in the final set, as he had during his win over Borna Coric at the French Open, which the world No 31 attributed to his father’s death. Cilic is emerging as a serious contender on the surface, hitting 17 aces and having just 13 unforced errors in his win over Johnson. He has reached the quarterfinals in each of the past three years and held match points against Roger Federer here 12 months ago. This year, he is on course to meet Rafael Nadal in the last eight. Cilic said: ‘I’m quite happy with the position I’m in, also with my own form. ‘I’m extremely satisfied with the last couple of months. ‘Obviously, players like Roger and Rafa have had great success this year. ‘And Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, you cannot ever rule them out of Grand Slams. ‘They are always having that little bit of extra pressure or spotlight on them. ‘So maybe that just releases a little bit of the pressure on me.’