Wimbledon 2017: Cilic Magic

Querrey had knocked out the limping Andy Murray in the previous round on Centre Court but another shock proved beyond the American as Cilic showed his magic after falling behind when he lost the first set. 

Cilic prevailed 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5. It was less of a routine victory than the score suggests. Querrey snatched the first set and very nearly took it to a fifth only for Cilic to break at the crucial moment to seal victory after two hours and 56 minutes. 

Cilic is the first Croatian to go the distance at Wimbledon since Goran Ivanisevic beat Tim Henman to reach the Wimbledon final in 2001. 

“It is unbelievable, especially the way this tournament has unfolded. From the first round, I was playing really great tennis,” said Cilic after the match. 

“Sam was playing a really high level. I had my chances, and was 4-1 up in the tiebreak but didn’t convert that. But after that I think I was better on the return, making him play more on his service games and I thought the level was really high,” explained the Croat. 

“Sam came out serving huge, hitting big. He didn’t seem tight at all, but that pushed me to play big tennis towards the end. set,” said Cilic. 

BOPANNA OUT: The Indian challenge ended when Rohan Bopanna and Gabriela Dabrowski went down fighting to Henri Kontinen and Heather Watson in the mixed doubles quarterfinals 7-6(4) 4-6 5-7.