Friday evening's ATP World Tour Finals match in London pitted Stanislas Wawrinka against Marin Cilic.
Victory for Wawrinka would have seen the Swiss advance to the semi-finals alongside Group A rival Novak Djokovic.
Despite two heavy round-robin losses, Cilic entered the match still with a chance of qualifying, but could only afford to drop two games.
Cilic's challenge ended after just four games, however, with Wawrinka racing into a 3-1 lead.
The Swiss eventually claimed the first set 6-3, but Cilic broke late in the second to level the match at one-set-all.
Cilic continued to improve in the third, but eventually Wawrinka came through to record a 6-3 4-6 6-3 victory.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's game-by-game live commentary of the action below.
Hello all! Sports Mole's ATP World Tour Finals coverage continues this evening as Stanislas Wawrinka welcomes Marin Cilic in Group A. Let's hope for another cracker in London!
Both Wawrinka and Cilic can still qualify for the semi-finals this evening, but Cilic needs to win this match and drop less than three games in the process. Any win for Wawrinka, however, would be enough for the Swiss to advance into the semi-finals of the competition alongside Novak Djokovic.
Earlier this afternoon in Group A, Novak Djokovic recorded a 6-2 6-2 win over Tomas Berdych. Not only did that victory give the Serbian a 3-0 score in the competition, it guaranteed his place at the top of the end-year rankings. Roger Federer had looked capable of snatching it away, but not anymore.
As a result, Djokovic has topped Group A and will play Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals. Wawrinka or Cilic will face Federer in the second semi-final and after what the Swiss did to Andy Murray last night, that is not a welcome prospect! Will it be Wawrinka facing his fellow countryman in the last four?
Wawrinka opened this tournament with a 6-1 6-1 victory over Berdych, but was beaten 6-3 6-0 by Djokovic in his second match. Cilic, meanwhile, lost his opener 6-1 6-1 to Djokovic, before losing 6-3 6-1 to Berdych. As mentioned, Cilic could still qualify with a two-set win this evening, but the Croatian can only afford to lose two games - that is a big, big ask against Wawrinka it must be said.
In terms of the head-to-head record, Wawrinka has won seven of the nine meetings with Cilic. The pair met in the last-32 stage of the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this year and it was Wawrinka that came through 6-0 6-2. However, that was the first time that the two players had met since 2011.
Cilic's last win over Wawrinka did come on hard court, however, with the Croatian recording a 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-3 in the last-32 stage of the 2010 Australian Open. Cilic skipped a number of tournaments to prepare for this event in London, but it has been a disappointment thus far truth be told.
"It seems that the things that I'm doing that are all basically going in a wrong direction. Especially with these guys at this kind of level, even small mistakes, or if you're not at your best performances, the outcome is not going to be going in your favour," Cilic has been quoted as saying by the International Business Times. Just a reminder that the match is due to start at 8pm.
Wawrinka, who is ranked at number four in the world, has won one Grand Slam in his career – the 2014 Australian Open, which ended three years of Djokovic dominance at that particular competition. The 29-year-old also reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon earlier this year.
Cilic, meanwhile, was also a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon earlier this year. The 26-year-old, who is currently ranked number nine in the world, also has one Grand Slam to his name – the 2014 US Open, which he won after famously beating Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-3 6-3 in the final.
"Hopefully today is going to be different than the other two matches. I am going to have to raise my game to get through," Cilic has just told Sky Sports News.
"Last year was a great experience. It is a great atmosphere and brilliant tournament. I have to play my game this evening to get through. I am ready," Wawrinka has just told Sky Sports News.
As expected, there is a stunning atmosphere inside this wonderful arena. It is the final match before the semi-finals. Who will face Federer in the last four - Wawrinka or Cilic?
Cilic wins the toss, but elects to receive. Very unusual!
Both players are knocking up, with the match due to start in the next five minutes. Will we have a three-setter this evening? Not for me, I am backing Wawrinka to win in straight sets.
Here we go then. Wawrinka will serve first despite losing the toss...
Strong start from Wawrinka as Cilic fails to return the Swiss' first serve for 15-0, before Cilic hits a forehand long for 30-0. Wawrinka hits a stunning forehand in the next point for 40-0, but Cilic moves onto the board when the server hits the net. Wawrinka secures the hold, however, when Cilic can only return a smash long of the baseline. Strong start from the Swiss.
Wawrinka hits a backhand long to hand Cilic 15-0, before hitting another backhand wide for 30-0. Wawrinka moves onto the board when Cilic hits the net, but the Croatian extends his lead to 40-15 when Wawrinka fails to return a powerful forehand. Cilic secures the hold with an overhead smash. We are on serve after two games in London.
Wawrinka has 15-0 when Cilic hits a backhand long, before the Croatian fires wide for 30-0. The next point brings 40-0 following a brilliant serve and volley from Wawrinka, but the Swiss then hits a forehand long for 40-15. Wawrinka secures the hold, however, with an excellent forehand.
BREAK! Cilic nets in the first point of the game to hand Wawrinka a 0-15 lead, before Wawrinka hits a stunning backhand for 0-30. The Swiss has 0-40 when Cilic nets following a long exchange, but the server responds in the next point with a sweeping forehand. Wawrinka secures the break, however, when Cilic drops another one wide. The Croatian can no longer make the semi-finals regardless of what happens in the remainder of this match.
Confident start from Wawrinka as Cilic is forced to net for 15-0, but the server then hits a wild forehand wide for 15-15. Wawrinka then double-faults for 15-30, but responds with an ace for 30-30. Cilic comes short in the next point, but Wawrinka hits a forehand pass for 40-30. Deuce arrives when Wawrinka misses the line with a backhand, but eventually the Swiss holds with a serve and volley at the net. Wawrinka is in complete control of this first set it must be said.
Wawrinka misses with a forehand as Cilic moves 15-0 ahead, before Cilic produces another overhead smash to move 30-0 ahead. Cilic then hits a forehand long, however, to leave the score at 30-15. The server then misses another forehand for 30-30, but responds with a brilliant serve to move 40-30 ahead. Cilic secures the hold with a serve and volley at the net.
Brilliant from Wawrinka as the Swiss whips a backhand past Cilic for 15-0, before Cilic hits a backhand wide for 30-0. Wawrinka then finds the net twice in quick succession, however, to leave the score at 30-30. Cilic then hits the net for 40-30, before Wawrinka holds when Cilic fires long.
Beautiful from Wawrinka as the Swiss hits a forehand pass to move 0-15 ahead, but he then slices a forehand for 15-15. Wawrinka slices another forehand in the next point, but it drops inside the court for 15-30. Cilic responds with an excellent first serve, before Wawrinka nets for 40-30. Deuce arrives in the next point when Cilic hits a forehand long, before the pair exchange points once more. Eventually Cilic holds when Wawrinka hits a forehand past the baseline.
SET! Wawrinka moves 15-0 ahead with a brilliant serve and volley, before Cilic hits a forehand long for 30-0. The next point brings 40-0 as Cilic fires long once more and Wawrinka secures the set when Cilic fails to return an excellent drop shot.
Just a reminder that Cilic can no longer make the semi-finals of the competition. He could only afford to drop two games this evening. Wawrinka has been too good for the Croatian thus far.
Wawrinka hits a forehand winner to move 0-15 ahead, before Cilic fires a forehand wide for 0-30. Cilic responds with a powerful serve to move onto the board, before producing his first ace for 30-30. Wawrinka then misses with a forehand to hand Cilic 40-30 and the Croatian secures the hold with another overhead smash. Good save from the US Open champion there.
Cilic misses with a backhand to hand Wawrinka 15-0, before the Swiss produces a powerful serve for 30-0. Wawrinka nets in the next point to allow Cilic onto the board, before double-faulting for 30-30. A brilliant forehand moves the Swiss 40-30 ahead, before Cilic slices a forehand to hand Wawrinka the game. Still on serve in the second set of this Group A clash in London.
Cilic opens with an ace to move 15-0 ahead, before Wawrinka nets for 30-0. Cilic then double-faults, however, to allow the Swiss into the game. Wawrinka hits a wild forehand long to leave the score at 40-30, before following suit in the next point as Cilic holds.
Wawrinka quickly moves 30-0 ahead following two wild forehands from Cilic, before the Swiss shows wonderful hands at the net to drop a backhand just over for 40-0. Wawrinka then hits a backhand just long, but wraps up the game with an ace.
Cilic nets from close-range volley to hand Wawrinka 0-15, but the Swiss then fires a forehand long for 15-15. Cilic comes to the net to move 30-15 ahead in the next point, before hitting a forehand down the line for 40-15. Cilic secures the hold with a forehand pass.
Another excellent forehand from Wawrinka moves the Swiss 15-0 ahead, but Cilic moves onto the board when Wawrinka hits a forehand long. Cilic nets in the next point to hand Wawrinka 30-15, before an ace leaves the score at 40-15. Wawrinka secures the hold with another ace.
Wawrinka drops a lob just long to hand Cilic 15-0, before the Croatian produces a powerful serve for 30-0. An excellent backhand from Wawrinka moves the Swiss onto the board in the next point, but he then nets for 40-15. Cilic secures the hold with another ace.
Wawrinka again comes to the net to move 15-0 ahead, but then hits a backhand wide for 15-15. The Swiss moves 30-15 ahead when Cilic fails to return a powerful forehand, before Cilic hits a backhand wide for 40-15. Wawrinka secures the hold with an ace. Still on serve in the second.
Cilic opens with a powerful serve to move 15-0 ahead, but the Croatian then hits a forehand long for 15-15. Wawrinka nets in the next exchange to hand Cilic 30-15, before another ace hands Cilic 40-15. Cilic then volleys at the net to keep the pressure on Wawrinka in the second.
BREAK, SET! Wawrinka opens with a double-fault to hand Cilic 0-15, before a stunning backhand from the Croatian leaves the score at 0-30. Wawrinka then hits a forehand long, before following suit in the next point to hand Cilic the set. We are level at one-set-all here!
Much, much better from Cilic, who is now very much in the driving seat in London.
Wawrinka has 0-15 when Cilic hits a forehand long, but the Swiss then nets for 15-15. Cilic again fires long in the next point to leave the score at 15-30, before following suit once again for 15-40. Wawrinka then hits a forehand long for 30-40, before a powerful serve brings deuce. Wawrinka clips one long and then hits the net as Cilic escapes to hold.
BREAK! Cilic opens with a stunning backhand to move 0-15 ahead, but Wawrinka responds with a backhand of his own. Wawrinka then slices a forehand to leave the score at 15-30, before double-faulting for 15-40. Wawrinka responds with an excellent backhand, but loses the game after hitting the net. It is suddenly all Cilic here.
BREAK! Wawrinka has 0-15 when Cilic hits a forehand just wide, but the Swiss then fires long for 15-15. Another overhead smash moves Cilic 30-15 ahead, before Wawrinka clips one wide for 40-15. Cilic follows suit in the next point for 40-30, before double-faulting to leave the score at deuce. Wawrinka breaks back following two errors from the server.
Wawrinka has 15-0 when Cilic nets in the first point, before following suit in the second for 30-0. Wawrinka then hits a forehand long for 30-15, but responds with an excellent backhand. The Swiss then hits the net for 40-30, before Cilic produces a stunning lob for deuce. The pair then exchange points, before Wawrinka eventually holds with an ace.
Strong start from Cilic as an ace moves the Croatian 15-0 ahead, before Wawrinka nets for 30-0. A sweeping forehand then brings 40-0 and the server holds another excellent forehand. One of the easiest games of the night for the US Open champion.
Cilic fires long in the first point to hand Wawrinka 15-0, before the Swiss comes to the net for 30-0. Wawrinka then slices a forehand to allow Cilic into the game, but a lob from Cilic drops just long for 40-15. Wawrinka secures the hold when Cilic nets once again.
BREAK! Cilic opens with a powerful serve to move 15-0 ahead, but the Croatian then nets for 15-15. An ace follows in the third point as Cilic moves 30-15 ahead, but the Croatian then double-faults for 30-30. Wawrinka hits a passing shot long in the next point, before Cilic follows suit to leave the score at deuce. Eventually Wawrinka breaks when Cilic fires long. Is that the turning point? Surely Wawrinka will close it out from this position.
Cilic nets in the first point to hand Wawrinka 15-0, before Wawrinka hits an ace for 30-0. Cilic then nets for 40-0, before Wawrinka holds with a brilliant forehand.
GAME, SET, MATCH! Wawrinka has 0-15 when Cilic nets in the first point, but the Swiss then hits a forehand wide for 15-15. Wawrinka finds a backhand down the line in the next point for 15-30, before Cilic hits one long to hand the Swiss two match points. Cilic saves the first with a powerful forehand, but the Croatian then double-faults to hand Wawrinka the match.
So there we have it. Wawrinka will play Federer in the semi-finals tomorrow evening. The first semi-final, meanwhile, will pit Djokovic against Nishikori. Some matches to come on Saturday!
"It was a tough match. It is never easy to play against Marin. I am very happy to win and get through to the semi-finals," Wawrinka has just told Sky Sports News.
"It is going to be great. It will be really tough, but I need to trust myself," added Wawrinka when asked about his semi-final match with Federer.
So there we have it. That is just about it from me this evening, but be sure to join Sports Mole again tomorrow for the two semi-finals. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
