Flashback Cincinnati: Marin Cilic downs Andy Murray for first Masters 1000 crown

Cincinnati 20016 was a massive opportunity for the entire field to claim the Masters 1000 title, with no Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic in the draw. Rafael Nadal was there but he couldn't do much, suffering the third-round exit after a challenging week at the Rio Olympics a week earlier. Marin Cilic and Andy Murray reached the title match and it was the Croat who went all the way, beating the Briton 6-4, 7-5 for his first Masters 1000 title. It was the 15th ATP title for Cilic and only the third since the US Open 2014, serving well and outplaying Murray with sharp and aggressive hitting that claimed the crown for him. On the previous night, Andy did enough to tame Milos Raonic's serve, unable to repeat that against Marin and impose his strokes in the exchanges. Cilic produced mighty serve&forehand combos, hitting 24 winners and errors to keep the rallies on his racquet.

Andy entered the match with a career-best 22-match winning streak, taking 11 of the previous 13 encounters against Cilic but still ending on the losing side for the first time since Roland Garros final. Unable to draw the rival from the comfort zone, Andy grabbed eight winners and more than 20 unforced mistakes, not enough for at least a set in the quest for the third crown in Ohio. Marin became the first Masters 1000 champion born after Novak Djokovic and the one who ended the streak of the 'big 4' at this level, as they claimed the previous 18 tournaments following Toronto 2014. The Croat claimed 82% of the points behind the first serve, offering Andy two break chances and giving serve away once. Murray couldn't follow those numbers, playing against eight break chances and suffering three breaks. There were three breaks in the opening set and Marin claimed two to control the pace.

In Cincinnati 2016, Marin Cilic defeated Andy Murray in straight sets. 

Andy held at love in his first couple of service games before Cilic broke him twice in a row to forge a 5-2 advantage. Andy responded with a break at 15 in game eight, in his last effort of the set, as Cilic brought it home in game ten for a 6-4. Cilic flew over the court in set number two, dropping only three points behind the initial shot against such a great returner and waiting patiently for the opportunity on the return. It didn't appear until game 11, though, as Murray found a nice rhythm on his serve, unlike in the opener. Serving at 5-5 Andy lost the opening three points to find himself in a very tough position, fending off all three break points for a breathing space. Marin refused to soften the pressure, creating another pair of break opportunities and seizing the fifth to move ahead and serve for the triumph. He embraced it with both hands, landing a love service game to finish the encounter in style and earn his first Masters 1000 crown.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3lirbFl