Defending champion Marin Cilic (CRO) and ninth seed was playing Mikhail Kukuskin (UKR) on Louis Armstrong. The defending champion was struggling with serve in the first set as only 41% of first serves landed in, he did however score 80% of points behind the serve. Kukuskin secured two break point opportunities on the ninth seeds serve and converted both, Cilic also converted two break point chances, but he created three in total. The set went to a tiebreak and it was the Ukrainian who came out on top taking the breaker 7-5.

Cilic hits back

With his serve improving the defending champion upped his first serve percentage (FSP) to 53% an scored 95% points behind the serve. With the score at 5-3 to Kukuskin, the Ukranian was serving for the set to go into a two set lead. Cilic got the break back as the Ukranian was unable to serve the set out. It was the only break that Cilic need to drag the set back towards the tiebreak. In the breaker Cilic dominated, losing only one point in the tiebreak to level the match at one set all.  The third set saw Cilic continue from where he had left off in the last set. As the Ukranian started to struggle with movement, the defending champion got the break of serve needed to seal the third set 6-3.

Kukuskin brings it level

Cilic was now serving much better and hit nine aces during the set. The Ukranian was staying with the ninth seed throughout the set though, and secured the one break of serve from one break point chance. Cilic had more break point chances (nine in total) but was only able to take one of the chances. Just like the first two sets, the fourth landed in a tiebreak, which way would this one go? This time it was the Ukranian who took control in the tiebreak, and didn't let the advantage go as he took the tie break 7-3, it would all come down to a final set.

The Final set

Into the final set and the defending champion began to take control. Cilic was seving better again as the Ukranian fought to stay in the match. The Croatian was obtaining break point chances, and taking them. Kukuskhin was struggling to hold serve now as Cilic had upped the pressure. No matter what he tried the Ukranian was on the losing end of the points more often than not. In the end the defending champion was just too strong for the Ukranian and he took the set 6-1 to move into the next round

VAVEL Logo
About the author