MARIN CILIC CONTINUES TO RISE IN RACE TO BARCLAYS WORLD TOUR FINALS BY REACHING BASEL TENNIS SEMI

Written by: Staff on 28th October 2016

MARIN CILIC CONTINUES TO RISE IN RACE TO BARCLAYS WORLD TOUR FINALS BY REACHING BASEL TENNIS SEMI

epa05601330 Croatia's Marin Cilic in action against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny during their first round match for the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 24 October 2016. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS |

By Ricky Dimon

Marin Cilic put himself within one win of a tentative spot in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals when he defeat Marcel Granollers 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Friday. If Cilic advances to the final, he will assume the eighth position in the race to London (not including Rafael Nadal, who has already confirmed he will miss the year-end championship due to a wrist injury).

The 12th-ranked Croat began this week in position to be the second alternate behind David Goffin, with Tomas Berdych holding down the No. 8 spot. Cilic’s victory over Granollers guaranteed that he will be at least 80 points ahead of Goffin on Monday and if he beats Mischa Zverev in the semis he will pass Berdych by at least 10 points.

‘It’s still the main goal of the season that I set at the beginning of the year,” Cilic said of making it to London. “I had knee issues in the first months and I did not play so well, but in the second half of the season I raised my level. Hopefully I will keep playing good tennis and remain in this good form. I am bidding to win [the title in Basel].”

The 2014 U.S. Open champion took his 2016 campaign to new heights starting on grass, with a semifinal showing at Queen’s Club and a quarterfinal performance at Wimbledon. Most importantly, his summer included a title at the Cincinnati Masters. Although his race standing is not impacted by the Davis Cup, Cilic has Croatia in next month’s final.

“Absolutely,” Cilic said when asked if he wishes ranking points were still awarded for Davis Cup success. “Especially this year where I won much for Croatia. It’s a pity. but I cannot do anything. The most important thing will be the [final tie against Argentina].”

Top 8 not including Nadal, as of Friday night.

1. Novak Djokovic – 10,600 points. This week: Not playing.

2. Andy Murray – 9.865 points. This week: Vienna semifinals.

3. Stan Wawrinka – 5,105 points. This week: Lost in Basel quarterfinals.

4. Milos Raonic – 4,690 points. This week: Lost in Basel first round.

5. Kei Nishikori – 4,495 points. This week: Basel semifinals.

6. Gael Monfils – 3,625 points. This week: Not playing.

7. Dominic Thiem – 3,205 points. This week: Lost in Vienna second round.

8. Tomas Berdych – 2,880 points. This week: Lost in Vienna first round.

Next 4 contenders

9. Marin Cilic – 2,770 points. This week: Basel semifinals.

10. David Goffin – 2,690 points. This week: Lost in Basel second round.