2018 AO Men's QF: Nadal - Cilic

[Denis]

Oddly this matchup has only occured 6 times, with Cilic winning once back in 2009 on their first encounter:

http://www.stevegtennis.com/head-to-head/men/Rafael_Nadal/Marin_Cilic/

It's been pretty straightforward since then, with Nadal only losing one set.

Also noteworthy that only one match was contested on clay, all the others on hard.

 

[Denis]

I'm giving Cilic a set because 'the courts are playing fast'.

 

[britbox]

Cilic is too unreliable for me to pick him. I wouldn't rule him out because I've seen his best, but anything other than that... it's Nadal.

I'll take Rafa in 3 with two tight sets thrown in.

 

[Denis]

Cilic is also a player that doesn't have a fight in him, which is a disaster character trait against Rafa. Little Diego got a set off Rafa because the guy is a warrior and will fight tooth and nail. Cilic will likely give up after two games. So I think Im actually being way to generous to Cilic giving him a set.

 

[I.Haychew]

Nadal in three unles Cilic serves lights out.

 

[atttomole]

I think Ciliic will get a set. Nadal in 4.

 

[Moxie]

Cilic is too unreliable for me to pick him. I wouldn't rule him out because I've seen his best, but anything other than that... it's Nadal.

I'll take Rafa in 3 with two tight sets thrown in.

Now I feel like a bad fan. I gave Cilic a set. Rafa has to serve much better v. Cilic than he did yesterday. But I don't think Cilic is tough enough.

 

[rafanoy1992]

In a weird way, this quarterfinal match up is kinda similar to last year's quarterfinal match up. Nadal played an awful 4th rd match then he turned up a notch in the next match against Raonic. We will see if it will be the same this year...

 

[Busted]

Nadal in 3. If it went any longer Cilic would find a way to choke anyway, so might as well get it over with in 3. Wake me when it's over. Literally. Thank God it's it's the 2am match (my time) and I can just check the score tomorrow...

 

[Moxie]

Somebody has picked Cilic in 5. Now, that does seem like the worst bet. Either Cilic gets up on Rafa fast, or he's going down. In 5? Nadal all the way.

 

[El Dude]

I just can't imagine Cilic winning this, unless Rafa pulls up lame.

 

[El Dude]

Rafa should have gotten a ticket and just sat in the stands for those first serves (he's so far behind the baseline).

 

[Moxie]

Rafa is serving better than last round, as he knew he must.

 

[Moxie]

Cilic is trying to give away this service game, but Rafa keeps giving it back.

 

[mrzz]

Are they both trying to break the record for most UFE's on a single game?

 

[atttomole]

Nadal is returning great, but is wasting break points.

 

[El Dude]

This is a fun match - too bad I have to go to bed. Cilic is hammering Rafa hard, but Rafa is like a wall. Such a contrast in styles.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, but Rafa is playing a different style v. Cilic. He has to. And Cilic is out of his comfort zone. I don't think this will hold up forever for Marin.

 

[Moxie]

There's the break!

 

[El Dude]

OK, never mind - Cilic is just giving it away now. What a horrible game to go down 3-5.