6/30/08 7:40 AM | Jonathan Morgan
Is this really a Wimbledon 4th round match? You better believe it.
At least Clement has some experience, being an Australian Open finalist back in 2001 and a veteran of the tour for many years.
Marin Cilic is a 19 year old rookie at this stage of his career. He has a great serve and powerful groundies, especially off the forehand. In his previous match against Mathieu, he was looking quite comfortable smacking flat forehands and moving in to volley the next point away. For the past few years, he has gotten some hype as the next Mario Ancic, and he is someone very comparable.
Arnaud Clement is 23 cm shorter, but is better from the baseline. In this match, Cilic will look to serve big and score aces. On the points where aces do not occur, the Croat will try to blast forehands all over to court and move in on every opportunity to finish the point at net. Clement will be content to stay back and rally from the baseline. Clement doesn't have a big weapon, but is solid in all areas and plays a smart game.
This match will depend on who plays the big points well. Both men have a great shot at the semis, with the winner here facing the winner of the Tipsarevic/Schuettler showdown. That mental fact may also come into play. All in all, its looking like this Wimbledon is going to be Cilic's first deep run in a major.
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Did you know that... Both Rafael Nadal and Björn Borg won 16 titles as teenagers.
kaitepai, Dec 2, 2008 4:51 AM
tennisfan2, Dec 2, 2008 3:42 AM
tennisgirl, Dec 1, 2008 11:48 PM
lendl, Dec 1, 2008 6:17 PM
jorgeedu72, Dec 1, 2008 3:34 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:33 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:21 PM
samprallica, Nov 30, 2008 1:15 PM
Marin Cilic
Arnaud Clement
Wimbledon
