Anderson Sets Cilic Clash In Estoril Quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson struck 12 aces to beat Spanish lucky loser Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 7-6(4) on Wednesday for a place in the Millennium Estoril Open quarter-finals. The South African failed to convert four match points at 5-4 and needed to recover from 2/4 down in the second-set tie-break en route to victory in one hour and 49 minutes.
“I was 2/4 down in the tie-break, but I managed to raise my level and I fought really well in order to get the match finished in straight sets,” said Anderson. “It was important to forget the 5-4 game, as I think I played some very good tennis out there.”
The former World No. 5, who last reached the quarter-finals of an ATP Tour event in October 2020 at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna (l. to Rublev), will next play sixth-seed Marin Cilic. The Croatian leads their ATP Head2Head 6-1, boasting a 2-1 record on clay courts.
[WATCH LIVE 1]Sixth seed Cilic weathered two rain delays and an inspired performance from Portuguese wild card Nuno Borges on his way to the quarter-finals with a 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Cilic overpowered the 24-year-old in the first set, surging to a 5-2 lead and holding three set points at 40/0. Borges, who was competing in his first ATP Tour main draw, fought all the way back and escaped with the opening set in a tie-break.
But after a rain delay, it was Cilic who came back swinging. He raised his level on serve, and didn’t face a break point as he claimed the second set. The Croatian saved five of the six break points faced overall and closed out the third set after two hours and 27 minutes.
“I feel like I’m playing okay [on clay courts]. I had obviously some ups and downs again today, but I’m feeling good on the court and hitting the ball well,” Cilic said. “It’s important for me mentally to win these kinds of matches, losing [the] first set and coming back. Winning yesterday also [was] not easy after losing [the] second set. It’s small wins for me, and I’m hoping that I can be better day after day.”
It was the second three-setter in a row for Cilic, who took down #NextGenATP Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, 17, in his opening match. He will next face Anderson for a spot in the Estoril semi-finals as he seeks his 19th ATP Tour title.