The Shanghai Masters has got underway today, and Marin Cilic has set up a mouthwatering clash with Novak Djokovic.
The conqueror of Jack Draper at this year’s Wimbledon is enjoying a successful period on the tour, winning the Nottingham Open back in June.
Jannik Sinner claimed he struggled against Cilic at the recent China Open and the draw in Shanghai hasn’t been any kinder to the Croatian, with Djokovic now set to face him.
Cilic has claimed that he considered retiring amid some poor form and injury issues but now, the 2014 US Open champion appears to be enjoying his tennis once more.
The 37-year-old faced Nikoloz Basilashvili on Wednesday and after a 6-3, 7-6 win, he’s now become third on a pretty intriguing list of statistics.
Photo by David Jerkovic/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty ImagesMarin Cilic has just done something only two other players can beat
Cilic has enjoyed quite the career, winning a Grand Slam title and also making two other finals across a very colourful career.
The experienced player, who was the world number three in 2017, reached a Wimbledon final during that year and also made the Australian Open final in 2018.
Now, he’s managed to win a 30th match of his career in China, which is the most of any player not named Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev.
Cilic is brilliant on hard courts, and it’s fair to say that Djokovic could have been given an easier game in his first competitive match since the US Open.
Cilic is better than his ranking suggests
When Cilic played Draper at Wimbledon, his quarter of the draw opened up, and many predicted a solid run through the tournament.
However, he ran into an inspired Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round, and a four-set defeat denied him a first quarterfinal at the All England Club since he reached the final in 2017.
Cilic is 37, but it’s fair to say that a player with his quality is capable of being ranked higher in the world than the 38th place where he currently finds himself.
Clearly, the Croatian likes playing tennis in China, and he hopes to send shockwaves across the tennis world and send Djokovic packing on Friday.