Marin Cilic storms into semis in Umag

Written by: Global Chick on 30th July 2011

Marin Cilic storms into semis in Umag

Marin Cilic of Croatia returns to Russian tennis professional Mikhail Youzhny during their ATP World Tour tennis match at Rothenbaum in Hamburg, Germany, 22 July 2011. EPA/ANGELIKA WARMUTH |

Croatian Marin Cilic sailed past Italian Andreas Seppi yesterday winning in two straight sets 6-1 6-3 at the ATP Studena Croatia Open in Umag. The local favourite is now in the semi-final and he is looking good to become the first Croat to win the ATP World Tour tournament in Umag.

“I was hitting the ball very well and found a good balance in my game between hitting my own shots and playing defence. Hopefully I can continue that in my next match,” Cilic said.

Cilic’s semi-final opponent is the number six seed Fabio Fognini of Italy who took out fellow countryman Potito Starace 3-6 6-3 6-1. Fognini is looking to win his first ATP Tour level tournament this week.

Defending Champion Juan Carlos Ferrero advanced to the semi-final by beating Carlos Berlocq of Argentina 6-1 7-6 (5). Ferrero recently won the title at the MercedesCup in Stuttgart. He is looking to win his 17^th ATP Tour career title this week.

Ferrero will play World No. 27 Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov. The second seed Ukrainian overcame Spain’s Albert Ramos in two straight sets 6-3 7-5. Dolgopolov is yet to lose a set at the ATP Studena Croatia Open in Umag.

Marin Cilic is not only in the semi-final of the singles. Him and his partner Lovro Zovko are in the final after beating Blaz Kavcic and Jaroslav Pospisil 7-6 (2) 2-6 10-4.

Cilic and Zovko will see Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini in the final after the Italian team beat the number two seeds Daniele Bracciali and Santiago Gonzalez in three sets 7-6 (2) 1-6 10-7.

Bracciali and Gonzales was the last seeded team to out of the doubles competition. The winners of the Umag doubles event will share €22 000 and 250 ATP Tour points.

Order of Play Saturday 30 July, 2011

Centre Court 5.30 pm start

Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs Marin Cilic (CRO)

Not before 8.00 pm

Carlos Berlocq or Juan Carlos Ferrero vs Alexandr Dolgopolov

Followed by – Doubles final

Marin Cilic (CRO)/Lovro Zovko (CRO) vs

Simone Bolielli (ITA)/Fabio Fognini (ITA)