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[2] Rafael Nadal -02- (ESP) def [22] Marin Cilic -23- (CRO)
Match recap from Arthur Ashe Stadium announcer Andy Taylor.
40
On Wednesday, Rafael Nadal will compete in his 40th career Grand Slam Quarterfinal. His 9th at the US Open.
Don’t let the scoreline fool you. Nadal faced a formidable former champion tonight. Statistically, it was an even match. Nadal was simply sharper when it mattered – slightly more solid on serve, with fewer unforced errors.
The 3-time champ was relentless after set-3’s first changeover, earning four breaks and nine consecutive games. With the exception of Nadal’s first break during the streak, Cilic actually served well – Rafa’s defense was simply impenetrable.
NEXT: [21] Diego Schwartzman -21- (ARG) vs [2] Rafael Nadal -02- (ESP)
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Round-4 Biography | [2] Rafael Nadal -02- (ESP)
Now an 18-time Major Champion, this 33-year-old is one of the greatest to ever play the game. This June at Roland Garros, he again defended his title, becoming the first player ever to win a Grand Slam tournament 12-times – surpassing Margaret Court’s long-standing record of 11 Australian Open victories. A 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 4-time Davis Cup Champion – with his US Open Series victory in Montreal this Summer, he now owns a record 35 ATP Masters-1000 titles and 83 career Singles titles in all. And it was here in 2010, at just 24-years-old, he became only the 7th man in tennis history – and youngest in the Open era – to earn the career Grand Slam. From Mallorca, Spain – Please welcome 3-time US Open Champion Rafael Nadal.
▲ R4: def [22] Marin Cilic -23- (CRO) 63 36 61 62
▲ R3: def [Q] Hyeon Chung -170- (KOR) 63 64 62
▲ R2: -WALKOVER- | Thanasi Kokkinakis -203- (AUS)
▲ R1: def John Millman -60- (AUS) 63 62 62
Round-4 Biography | [22] Marin Cilic -23- (CRO)
5-years-ago, he captured his first Grand Slam title right here in Arthur Ashe Stadium – earning straight-set wins over Roger Federer in the Semifinals and Kei Nishikori in the championship match. Since then, he climbed to a career-high ranking of World #3, reached the Finals of both Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and made 4 appearances at the year-end ATP Finals. He owns 18 career Singles titles, has reached 32 Finals, and last November – captured the Davis Cup title for his country, making Croatia the defending Davis Cup Champions this Fall in Madrid. Competing in his 11th US Open – from Croatia, please welcome 2014 Champion, Marin Cilic.
▲ R3: def [14] John Isner -14- (USA) 75 36 76(6) 64
▲ R2: def Cedrik-Marcel Stebe -256- (GER) 46 63 75 63
▲ R1: def Martin Klizan -83- (SVK) 63 62 76(6)
Head to Head
This was the 9th meeting between these two Champions, and first at the US Open. Rafael Nadal won 6 of their previous matches, including their most-recent in the Toronto Quarterfinals last Summer.
