The last sixteen match at the Rogers Cup between Roger Federer (2) and Marin Cilic (15) was expected to be a cracker but just how many fireworks would be lit off by this match no one could have predicted. Federer came through 7-6 (5), 6-7(3), 6-4, but not before letting six match points slip in the second set.
The serve was always going to be the decider in this match. Cilic’s serve is his weapon, while Federer’s serve is one of his many top grade tools. The first set saw great serving from them both, but it was Federer who served the more effectively. He got 62 percent of his first serves in, compared to 51 percent for Cilic, and won 88 percent of those points. He also won 77 percent of his overall service points to 71 percent for Cilic. Those stats made the difference in a set that went the way of Federer 7-5 in the tiebreaker.
In the second set, the serve still proved to be decisive as both men held with ease, but it was Federer who got a look in at the Cilic serve, and just when he needed it. With Cilic serving at 4-5, Federer had 6 match points on the Cilic serve. Cilic held firm though, that big serve and game of his coming through when it really mattered, and he survived an epic 19 minute game.
The set went into a tiebreaker, and Cilic, inspired by his fightback played the more aggressive tennis to grab the mini-break and take the breaker 7-3.
Federer fans the world over may have been having flashbacks to the French Open when Federer let a set and a break lead vanish into a five set defeat at the hands of Ernests Gulbis. But Federer got himself back together in the third set, and leading 5-4, and returning the Cilic serve, he created another chance to break Cilic and took it with a forehand winner.
The win sealed, Federer had 30 minutes to get showered and changed and celebrate his 33rd birthday. It is hard to think of a better present for his fans than edging out such an opponent as Cilic in such a close match.
Federer said after the match how pleased he was to finally win a close one after a few near misses this year. Things should get more straightforward now as he will face David Ferrer who he has beaten 14 times. Ferrer beat Ivan Dodig 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, and while he has the game to beat Federer, with the Swiss serving at his current level, it will be a tough task.
Also through to the last eight were Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who stunned Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2 and Kevin Anderson who upset Stan Wawrinka. Tomas Berdych was also knocked out by Feliciano Lopez.
Andy Murray moved safely through after Richard Gasquet’s withdrawal, Milos Raonic saw off Julian Benneteau in three sets, and Dimitrov beat Robredo in three, too.
Commentary by Christian Deverille
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