Marin Cilic's unlikey US Open victory could be the first of many Grand Slam triumpsh, says his coach Goran Ivanisevic. Cilic, aged 25, beat Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-3 6-3 to become Croatia's first major champion since Ivanisevic triumphed at Wimbledon in 2001. "He can win more Grand Slams," Ivanisevic said. "It's unbelievable, it's amazing. I'm so proud of him, that he was able to play the final like this."
World number 16 Cilic had an amazing run at Flushing Meadows with straight-sets victories over sixth seed Tomas Berdych, five-time champion Roger Federer and 10th seed Nishikori in the big final. He is the lowest-ranked player to win a Grand Slam since Gaston Gaudio from Argentina won the 2004 French Open at Roland Garros as the world number 44.
"I said whoever was able to overcome the nerves is going to win the tournament and that's what happened," said Ivanisevic, who became Cilic's coach last year. "After the first couple of games there was only one player on the court and that was Marin. Nishikori could not cope with him in any aspect of tennis. The last 10 sets were the 10 best sets of his life. After this, he doesn't need to play any more sets!"
"It was not an easy year and it came in the perfect, perfect moment", added Ivanisevic. "From this he can only go up and up. His life is never going to be the same again. He's the nicest guy and deserves it. And as a coach - now I can resign! I won a Grand Slam as a coach." At the moment Marin Cilic is 14/1 to win the first Grand Slam tournament in 2015, the Australian Open.
mico.femic.1 9 years ago
each cast Marin Cilic , he showed that he has all the qualities that have the best , he's young and is a great potential to be the most difficult opponent . has shown so far that is a very good player and could be if this continues among the best . but not the best , next to Novak Djokovic because no one can be better ....
each cast Marin Cilic , he showed that he has all the qualities that have the best , he's young and is a great potential to be the most difficult opponent . has shown so far that is a very good player and could be if this continues among the best . but not the best , next to Novak Djokovic because no one can be better . :) But is a good player and just let this continue and will be one of the better ones
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cris1285 9 years ago
No more guys. Nadal was not there, Djokovic was out of mind after the wedding and wit the baby coming, Federer got tired after the two Masters deep run, Murray... hehe, well he will be back also. The youngsters like Dimitrov, Raonic, Nishikori the next ones, so no more Cilic, im sorry for his fans. He had his best 3 games...
No more guys. Nadal was not there, Djokovic was out of mind after the wedding and wit the baby coming, Federer got tired after the two Masters deep run, Murray... hehe, well he will be back also. The youngsters like Dimitrov, Raonic, Nishikori the next ones, so no more Cilic, im sorry for his fans. He had his best 3 games ever on that week.
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skrunici 9 years ago
Never again... I must say that this US open was so strange and final without djokovic nadal or federer we ain't gonna see again while they play of course :) I just can't understand what happend special to djokovic who should win this tournament easy. but congratulation to cilic.. he deserve it but he doesn't have quality...
Never again... I must say that this US open was so strange and final without djokovic nadal or federer we ain't gonna see again while they play of course :) I just can't understand what happend special to djokovic who should win this tournament easy. but congratulation to cilic.. he deserve it but he doesn't have quality for another grand slam
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Snoop 9 years ago
He is still "young", 25 years, he is now real player, all this year he was big potential, he was winning on small tournaments, but finally he played great on one Grand Slam and of course if he continue with great serve like this and all confidence, he can make big things...
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