• Australian Open, Day Nine

Cilic ousts Roddick in stunning style

ESPN staff
January 26, 2010
Marin Cilic's big serve helped him overcome Andy Roddick. He powered down 20 aces in the match © Getty Images
Enlarge

Click here for today's Women's round-up
Day Nine in pictures

Marin Cilic fended off a stunning fightback from Andy Roddick to book his place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a 7-6 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-3 win.

It was a quite stunning effort from Cilic who needed five sets to overcome US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro in the previous round.

The Croat took the opening set in a tie-break before racing through the second to put one foot in the last four. Roddick, though, is the heartiest of battlers and roared back to take the third set. The American stepped things up to a new level in the fourth as he went on the attack and worked Cilic around the court with ease.

Roddick, the No. 7 seed, seemingly had the momentum heading into the fifth set but Cilic found reserves to secure a break of serve in the fourth game.

Roddick saved two break points in game six and attempted to take the Cilic serve to extend the match, but he was unable to do so and the Croat served out the match at the first time of asking after three hours and 49 minutes of epic tennis.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices