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By Erik Gudris | Saturday, July 3, 2021

 
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Daniil Medvedev rallied past former finalist Marin Cilic to reach the second week of Wimbledon and a Manic Monday match vs. Hubert Hurkacz.

Photo credit: Getty

Daniil Medvedev once again proved why he is a serious contender for his first-ever major title after earning a significant victory in his career.

The second-ranked Russian completed his first-ever comeback win from two sets to love down as he defeated former Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic 6-7(3), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.

More: Federer Into 18th Wimbledon Fourth Round

“It was an unbelievable match,” Medvedev said afterwards. “I think tennis fans always enjoy watching players come back from two sets to love down and for it to be five sets. I certainly do so when I watch tennis on the TV.

“It’s my first comeback and actually what’s amazing is against David Goffin at Wimbledon in 2019, I was two sets to love down and I had a break in the fifth set, but I lost. So when I left the court after the fourth set today, I told myself, “It’s not going to be another one of those.”




Medvedev’s win ensured that three Russian men would be in the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time since the Open Era. The others are Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev.

The third round encounter earned its must-watch status right from the start. Especially since the No. 32 seed Cilic, who reached the final back in 2017, displayed the form that took him to the US Open title in 2014. That included Cilic’s recent title run at the warm-up grass tournament in Stuttgart a few weeks earlier.

Cilic, with effective serving, closed out the first set in a tiebreak 7-6(3). Cilic then secured a service break in the second set en route to taking that set 6-3 and opening up a two sets to love over the Russian.




Yet Medvedev did not seem overly concerned entering the third set. The Russian began to read Cilic’s massive serve better. And, Cilic didn’t help his cause at all as his forehand started letting him down on key moments.

Cilic, facing a break point at 2-3, sent a forehand just wide in the third set. Cilic fell behind another break in the set that allowed Medvedev to seize the momentum for 5-2.

Soon, the Russian sealed the set at 6-3.

From there, Medvedev rose to the occasion while Cilic’s stellar form faded. The Russian claimed the fourth set and then raced ahead to a 5-0 lead in the final set, just making one unforced error until he served for it at the next game.

Tennis Express


Cilic persisted and found a way to break Medvedev and then hold his next service game for 2-5. Yet Medvedev would not allow Cilic to find a way back into the match. On his fourth match point, Medvedev struck a big serve that Cilic could not handle to close out the impressive five-set victory.

Medvedev hit 38 winners and 31 unforced errors in the match compared to 49 winners and 69 unforced errors from Cilic.

Medvedev, who reached the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time in four appearances, will next face No. 14 seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Miami Open champion Hurkacz swept Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.


 

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