French Open 2022, Quarterfinals, Wednesday, 01.06.2022
Will he end up being perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2022 French Open? Marin Cilic is putting on a tournament of the highest order and does not want to be stopped by Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.
The bookmakers expect an intense, close match between these two players, which does not have to end with a clear result.
In my Rublev Cilic tip, I reveal why we could be in for a real thriller here!
What exactly is Marin Cilic delivering here? Actually, the Croatian is known as a specialist on the green grass, who has had a rather mixed year so far in 2022 without any major upward breakaways.
He did well most of the time and made life difficult for the big names, but it wasn’t enough to beat Zverev and Co. In Paris, however, it seems that his time has come to make his strong performances pay off.
His 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 win over Attila Balasz in the opening match was almost to be expected, but his 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win over Marton Fucsovics showed what Cilic is capable of at this French Open.
He seamlessly continued this performance, knocking Gilles Simon out of the tournament with a quick 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. But the veteran delivered his masterpiece in the last 16, against none other than Daniil Medvedev.
Granted, the world No. 2 was out of form, but anyone who humiliates him 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 still deserves high praise. He didn’t concede a single break chance to the Russian, you simply can’t serve stronger.
90% of the points won on the first serve are excellent. Even in the previous tournament, he only allowed four breaks, but how much he improved up to the last 16 is downright unbelievable.
He has never played a semi-final in Paris, so now he is facing a historic opportunity. He is 2:4 behind in the direct comparison with Andrey Rublev, but will he be able to come back on Wednesday at the most favourable time?
After four all close wins by Rublev, Cilic won in the most recent edition, namely at the Australian Open 2022. The bookmakers have nevertheless positioned themselves in favour of Rublev, although a 1.60 to 2.35 at Betano looks quite close.
Perhaps the fact that he was able to save some important energy in his round of 16 match will play into the Russian’s favour? Unfortunately, his match against Jannik Sinner ended far too early due to a retirement. At 1-6, 6-4, 2-0, Rublev was the winner.
One thing remained the same in his fourth appearance in Paris: the world number 7 simply cannot get through without losing a set. He already lost one set each to Soon-Woo Kwon, Federico Delbonis and Cristian Garin.
The first set against Jannik Sinner, who was still fit at that point, showed that the current form is not right at all corners. Not only for Cilic would the semi-final at the French Open be history-making, Rublev has also never got this far in the French capital.
My Rublev Cilic Tip
Who knows if Andrey Rublev would still be in the tournament had Jannik Sinner not injured himself in the round of 16! The first set was lost in a crash.
Marin Cilic is playing the French Open of his life. He dropped just one set, he really humiliated Daniil Medvedev. The service game in the round of 16 was brilliant. Rublev, of course, is not to be underestimated at all, which is why I’m betting:
There will be at least four sets!
