Marin Cilic

Marin Cilic Heading into 2016

Posted by Dan Martin on

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Where is Marin Cilic’s Game Going into 2016?

Adjusting

Many players tend to struggle for a few months adjusting to new expectatons after a breakthrough on tour.  Marin Cilic’s adjustment phase was exacerbated by injury issues that hampered his late 2014 prospects.  Cilic has won 2 titles since his improbable 2014 US Open title.  Both of those titles were won in Moscow.  Cilic leaves this Kremlin Cup in a different spot than he left Moscow in 2014.  Cilic is healthy and more than 52 weeks have passed since he claimed his first major title. Is he ready to climb again?

Cilic like Stan Benefits from 3 of 5 Set Play

This was a close match for awhile, but Cilic played big man tennis better

Stan Wawrinka broke through and won the 2014 Australian Open.  After Wawrinka won Monte Carlo 2014, his year was largely forgetable in terms of ATP events. However, Wawrinka reached the quartrfinal rounds of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2014. He also played a pitotal role in Switzerland claiming its first Davis Cup title. Wawrinka’s best of 5 set success continued in 2015 with a Roland Garros title, a US Open semifinal finish, and quarterfinal finishes at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.  Cilic missed the 2015 Australian Open with injuries, but still managed to cobble together Wimbledon quarterfinal and US Open semifinal finishes.  Cilic even reached the round of 16 in Paris despite coming in with little match play, momentum, or confidence.  That left Cilic’s 2015 record in majors at 12-3.

Wawrinka has better results in 3 of 5 set matches because he plays a game with heft.  His strategy invovles hitting through the ball off of both wings and blasting big serves.  Over the course of a long match, Wawrinka’s blunt force tennis can break a player’s will.  Cilic plays big man tennis and has a similar approach to winning to Wawrinka’s.  Cilic’s big serve, solid return, and ability to control points takes a toll over time.  I don’t see Cilic as a lock for a second Grand Slam title, but like Wawrinka Cilic’s game will put him in the second week of majors.  That is more than many players can say.

Nole’s 2016 Form Dictates a Lot

A lot of Cilic’s 2016 fortunes depend on what level Novak Djokovic plays at in the upcoming year.  If Novak is in 2015 or 2011 mode, Cilic like almost everyone else is going to struggle to make a big mark.  If Novak’s level dips a bit for whatever reason, Cilic’s 9-2 record at the most recent two major events combined with improving weekly results bodes well.  Cilic’s serve and serving mentality have improved mightily under Goran Ivenisevic’s coaching.  If Cilic is confidently clipping aces and putting pressure on his opponents to hold, Cilic might very well make a serious move in 2016.

Novak is of course a high mountain to climb, but who are the other obstacles? Murray is in a holding pattern that may improve if the UK wins a Davis Cup title. Wawrinka is dangerous, but he is not overly consistent.  Roger Federer is 34.  Rafael Nadal is still seeking his better self on the tennis court.  A slew of promising but uncrowned younger players lurk.  These are formidible, but not impossible, challenges for Cilic in a 3 of 5 set format.  If he is returning well, does Cilic fear any of these men?  Marin Cilic may never again win a major title, but in 2016 he should not be ignored.

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