Marin Cilic has caused a surprise at Roland Garros by eliminating Daniil Medvedev, the world number two. In particular, the way in which the victory came about was startling, the Croat (23rd in the world) left Medvedev without a chance: 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.
The first two sets together took an hour, something that usually only happens in grass tennis. Cilic (33) often got a lot of time from the passive Medvedev to lash out with his forehand and did so to his heart’s content. He hit no less than 33 winners, also served well and gave no break opportunities.
Medvedev, who had won their three previous matches, gave the Croat another break in set three with two double errors. Cilic continued to play great, pushed through effortlessly and reached the quarter-finals in Paris again after 2017 and 2018.
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