Marin Cilic probably doesn’t mind not being talked about as much as this year’s Wimbledon gets underway. But last year’s finalist and the No. 3 seed should not be overlooked as a serious title contender.

Cilic got his 2018 Wimbledon off to a strong start with a convincing 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Yoshihito Nishioka. Cilic served 21 aces as he closed out the match in under two hours on opening day.

Cilic proved his grass court expertise by winning his second Queen’s Club title over Novak Djokovic just a few weeks ago.

“I think it prepared me extremely well just in terms of my confidence. It's very high. I played five quality matches over there. I was aware that most of the guys who were playing great at Queen's were also continuing to play again over here,” Cilic said after his match.

Currently ranked No. 5 in the world, Cilic reached the Australian Open final this year before losing to Roger Federer. Cilic could face Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals should they reach the final four.

A potential rematch with Federer would give Cilic a chance for revenge having lost to the Swiss great in straight sets in last year’s final. But Cilic looks at a potential rematch as an opportunity.

"I'm looking at last year's experience as a positive one and the one that I can learn from especially in my psychological approach to the match. Fortunately I was not able to be 100% level so I was not able to also test myself how would I play in the match, Cilic said. “I feel this year it's more looking at it as another opportunity to play well. I'm in great form, playing great tennis. Hopefully I can deliver here again. I'm not looking at last year that I would have some kind of a revenge. I'm feeling that it's another opportunity and that I have another chance to go really, really far.”