ATP Finals: Roger Federer wins again in Wimbledon final rematch with Marin Cilic

20:44 · THU November 16, 2017

by Andy Schooler, at The O2

Roger Federer was forced to come from a set down to beat Marin Cilic in their Wimbledon final rematch at the ATP Finals as he completed a 3-0 group record.

In terms of tournament as a whole, the contest had little at stake – Federer having already won his group with Cilic eliminated following two losses earlier in the week.

Yet the Croat, reduced to tears during his Wimbledon defeat in July, put up a strong fight, taking the opener on a tie-break only to wilt when the pressure was cranked up in the second set.

He went on to lose 6-7 (5/7) 6-4 6-1 as Federer prepared for what will be a 14th semi-final at the season-ending tournament in 15 appearances.

Before the match, the tournament favourite had spoken about how he he hoped to improve his level in this contest but plan that did not come to fruition.

It was a scrappy display from the world number two, who nonetheless was the better player in the first set.

It did him little good though. He failed to convert four break points in it – three In the opening game – as Cilic overcame early struggles with his length off the ground.

The ensuing tie-break was decided by one excellent shot from Cilic – a backhand cross-court volley which left Federer with no chance.

That took Cilic to 6-5 and a forehand winner down the line behind his own serve completed the job.

If Federer had been the better man in the first set, that was not the case in the second as he produced too many errors and Cilic, who had a point to go a break up early on, began to hold easily on his own serve.

Roger Federer (l) is congratulated by Marin Cilic

However, not for the first time this week, Cilic failed when push came to shove.

Perhaps the knowledge that he had blown winning positions in his two previous matches was weighing heavily on his shoulders when he stepped up to serve at 4-5.

That certainly looked the case he slipped 15-30 down and then coughed up two backhand errors as Federer levelled.

The outcome from there was never really in doubt, Federer claiming the early break in the decider before racing through it to wrap up victory in five minutes shy of two hours as he improved to 14-1 against top-10 players in 2017.

A Roger rocket on break point... 🚀#NittoATPFinals @RogerFederer pic.twitter.com/FFXOq3otQt
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 16, 2017

What the players said

Federer: "It wasn't easy. I mean, look, it's a fast court. It's indoors. We've seen it now: when you miss a few too many opportunities, you can really pay the price at this tournament. So we've seen some swing of momentum in a lot of the matches this week.

"I think in the beginning I was slightly over-aggressive in the first set on some crucial points rather than maybe being patient. I was able to turn that around late in the second set. Then I just had a much better feeling in the third set.

"Maybe also Marin's level dropped, I'm not sure. But definitely it was dangerous there for a while, you know, being down a set and break point (at the) beginning of the second set."

Cilic: "It's a little bit more difficult mentally knowing that I had two losses, that I'm not going to be able to go through.

"But still, it was a very solid match from me. I played, I'd say, those first two sets a really good level. Even had a break point there early in the second. I think overall with my game I was quite satisfied.

"Just in the third set I felt like I dropped little bit with my serving percentage. Once Roger got the break, he was playing little bit looser, obviously played well.

"But even though it's three losses, I felt that my tennis wasn't too far off of playing really, really well. You know, it's good positives at least in that. Hopefully I'm going to recover good and start a new season on a good level."