Cilic into Australian Open semi-final for the first time since 2010; Nadal's bid for first title in Melbourne since 2009 ends in concerning fashion
Thursday 24 May 2018 14:22, UK
Marin Cilic booked an Australian Open semi-final meeting against Britain's Kyle Edmund after world No 1 Rafael Nadal was forced to retire injured early in the fifth set of a gruelling encounter.
The Spaniard, chasing a first Australian Open title since 2009, was forced to take a medical timeout midway through the fourth set after falling a break behind.
Cilic, who had matched the 16-time Grand Slam champion all the way, sensed his opportunity to force a decider and despite the obvious discomfort, Nadal began the fifth set only to be broken in his opening service game before bringing an end to the match, trailing 2-0 in the deciding set.
The Croatian world No 6 won 3-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 6-0 in three hours and 47 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to reach only his second semi-final at Melbourne Park and claim his first victory over Nadal since 2009.
"It was an unbelievable performance from both of us, Cilic said in his on-court interview.
"It's really unfortunate for Rafa. He's an unbelievable competitor, always gives his best.
"When you're wounded, sometimes the balls are going in, so I was really paying attention to the first couple of games. It was absolutely important for me to continue with my intensity."
Nadal, who enjoyed a renaissance in form in 2017, began the stronger of the two players but saw five break points saved by Cilic in the sixth game of the opening set.
The Spaniard eventually secured the opening break in Cilic's next service game before a trademark forehand winner sealed the first set.
Cilic fell a break behind in the second set, throwing in a double fault after being called for a time violation on break point, but responded immediately.
The world No 6, trading well with Nadal from the baseline, claimed a second break in the eighth game of the set before holding his nerve to level up the contest.
The third set saw both players dominate on serve and Nadal continued to employ his tactic of standing well behind the baseline on the return of serve but after a tiebreak, full of breaks against serve, was claimed by the Spaniard it seemed the 31-year-old was destined for a last four berth.
Cilic, unperturbed by losing the third set, started the fourth in emphatic fashion on serve and secured the early break with a ferocious forehand winner before Nadal's medical timeout.
Despite initial resistance, the Spaniard saved three break points in the sixth game, from the 2009 champion in Melbourne, Nadal's hindered movement was becoming more apparent and his emotions painted a picture of a resigned man when Cilic forced the decider.
Despite Nadal battling on at the start of the fifth, he was broken in his opening service game to hand Cilic further command on proceedings and the world No 1 quickly walked to the net to call an end to proceedings.
