Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic meet once again in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and just like last year, a spot in the semifinals without another Big Four member in sight awaits. Albeit that the Croat has more sets played already, the world number one had to play on Tuesday after darkness suspended his round of 16 match against Kevin Anderson. 

Where Djokovic Holds The Edge

Djokovic has to come into this match with a superior mental edge over Cilic. He leads the head-to-head 12-0 and defeated him at the All England Club last year as well, coming back from a two sets to one deficit. It should be noted however that since the Croat has hired Goran Ivanisevic as his coach, that Djokovic is 5-0 but three of those matches were very competitive affairs.

The Serb has a major advantage on the nine seed on return of serve, movement, and backhand. Djokovic is known to many, if not all analysts and tennis fans, as the greatest returner the game has ever seen. ESPN showed off a statistic that was staggering, and it was that the world number one had gotten nearly 75 percent of first serves back in play through his first three rounds. He wasn't facing any mediocre servers either in Kohlschreiber, Nieminen, and Tomic. The backhand of the two-time Wimbledon champion is absolutely world class. The Serb uses it on the offensive most of the time, but he's displayed some top draw defending with it, which then allows him the transition from defense to offense.

The way Djokovic uses his left hand, especially on passing shots is key. The left hand helps him hit at the angle he wants as he times the ball and strikes it precisely to pass even the tallest guys on the tour. Without a doubt, movement is where the Serb has a clear edge on Cilic. The Croat gets lackadaisical sometimes and is sometimes caught flat-footed before moving laterally or forward. The world number one has worked relentlessly to become one of the best movers on tour and has succeeded with flying colors. His knack for anticipation of where he thinks his opponent will go next is sensational and then turns that chance into gold by taking the point off of them. 

Where Cilic Holds The Edge

If Cilic is going to find any solace in something he has a major advantage on the Serb is rest. The nine seed will be coming in with more rest on him despite having more sets under his belt. Cilic has played 17 sets Djokovic's 14, but tomorrow will be the Serb's third consecutive day playing after overcoming Kevin Anderson and a two sets to love deficit. The world number one played 12 games today, so the extra day of playing will take a toll on his body, no matter how fit he is.

The serve and forehand are the other two aspects of the game that Cilic has an advantage over Djokovic. Since hiring former Wimbledon champion Ivanisevic as his coach, Cilic has had the most improved serve on tour. His coach had one of the best serves in the 90s, Sampras without a doubt had the best, but he's transformed his pupil's serve since getting hired. For a 6'6'' player, Cilic didn't really have the powerful serve like many other guys his height did before the hiring. The US Open champion was hitting serves at 115+ even before the hiring, but they would just sit in the middle of the box making it easily returnable. Since the end of 2013, the Croat has been pounding down serves 120+ consistently finding his spots up the tee and out wide.

Finally, the forehand. Nothing describes a top server nowadays without mentioning the second part of their one-two punch, their forehand. The depth and power that Cilic can hit his forehand with also matches those top servers on tour, which he is now a part of. Whether he calls upon it to hit a cross-court screamer or deflect the pace and hit a winner up the line, Cilic's forehand will be troubling for the world number one especially if they get in plenty of forehand to forehand rallies. 

Final Thoughts

Back-to-back-to-back days of playing will definitely take it's toll on the Djokovic's body.  He'll come out sluggish before finally getting into the match. After seeing what Anderson did, Cilic is going to be coming out with the same confidence that he can do the same thing as he offers a bit more than the South African. But just like always, Djokovic isn't going to leave without a fight. It's going to be a thriller tomorrow.

Prediction: Cilic to pull off the upset in a thrilling five-setter.