Croatia’s Marin Cilic reached his first Wimbledon final where he will meet Roger Federer. In his 11th attempt on Friday, Cilic registered a 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 win over America’s Sam Querrey. In the second semifinal, Federer dismissed Thomas Berdych’s challenge in straight sets at 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar (below) and his wife Anjali take their seats in the Royal Box for the men’s semifinal between Cilic and Querrey at Wimbledon on Friday (Photo: Ap)
Federer broke Berdych in the fifth game of the first set but the Czech broke back for 4-4, setting up a tie-break. Federer and Cilic will battle it out in Sunday’s final for supreme honours. Federer leads Cilic 6-1 in head-to-head meetings. The 35-year-old is bidding to win a record eighth title and become the oldest champion at the All England Club in the Open era.
“It’s unbelievable. I have played really well from the start of the tournament,” said 28-year-old Cilic after winning his semi. “Sam played at a high level especially in the first set. I was 4/1 up in the tie-break and didn’t convert. But after that I was better in the return games. I thought the level was really high. I’m feeling a positive on the court. It’s extremely important. My emotions are helping me a little bit.”
Cilic fired 25 aces and 70 winners past world number 28 Querrey, the man who ended Andy Murray’s reign as Wimbledon champion in the quarterfinals.
Cilic is the second Croatian man to make the final after 2001 champion — Goran Ivanisevic. “I never doubted it. Who knows what will happen in the final? It’s great to see Cilic there,” Ivanisevic told the BBC.
Cilic took a 4-0 career lead over Querrey into Friday’s semifinal, including a marathon 5hr 31 min win at Wimbledon in 2012, the second longest match in tournament history.
