It was another battle against a big server for Marin Cilic as he faced Denis Kudla for the first time in his career in the fourth round of Wimbledon. The opening set was a close one, but a late break for the Croat gave him the set at 6-4. The US Open champion won the set despite having less winners (eight to twelve) and more unforced errors (fifteen to seven) in comparison to the American.

In the second sleeve, Kudla took the lead 3/2 after played some good points with his backhand. Then they held their services still the American played had the opportunity to take the set serving at 5/4. Cilic tried to attack with his forehand, but the 22-year-old replied with a drop shot, a great services and he closed the set winning a net point. Kudla keep his form and he had less unforced errors (seven - nine) than Cilic and he didn´t give to the Croatian any chance to break.

In the second set, Kudla took the lead at 3-2 by using his backhand efficiently. The American had the chance to serve out for the set up 5-4. Cilic was attacking with his forehand, but the American replied with a drop shot and some strong serving to take the set.

The difference in the third set was when Kudla was serving to level at four. In that game, the former junior world number three double faulted and had two unforced errors in row. Cilic took advantage of the situation and he broke to have the opportunity to take the a two sets to one lead on his serve.The ninth-seeded player didn´t waste his chance and took the set after two aces taking it 6-3.

The fourth set was the most exiciting of the match; it began with a break in favor of Marin Cilic but the American won two games straight to equalize. Kudla faced two break points and, he saved them with two great serves (including an ace). He took the advantage with a forehand winner and won the game with a volley at the net. In his next service game, the American once again faced break points and after five deuces, he hit an ace which was followed by Cilic missing a great ball to give Kudla another tough game.

They held their next few games, facing and saving break points. In the 5/5 game, Goran Ivanisevic´s pupil held without dropping a point. Cilic broke on am error from Kudla after the American was able to get to the Croat's volley. However, the volley sat up and gave the American just a bit too much time to think of it and netted it.

This is the second time that Cilic reached the last eight at Wimbledon, and now he will face the winner between Novak Djokovic and Kevin Anderson. In the head-to-head, the world number one is unbeaten and has 12 victories over Cilic and against Anderson, the Croatian has a 5/1 record.

For Denis Kudla, this was the first time in his career that he reached the second week in a Grand Slam. Before Wimbledon, he was ranked 105th in the world and with the fourth round run, he will add 180 points to his ranking and will climb more than 20 places.