Wimbledon 2015: Novak Djokovic makes short work of Marin Cilic to reach semi-finals

The Serb won 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in 1hr 49min

Steve Tongue
Wednesday 08 July 2015 14:59 EDT
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Novak Djokovic celebrates his win over Marin Cilic
Novak Djokovic celebrates his win over Marin Cilic (GETTY IMAGES)

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Any contest between representatives of Serbia and Croatia tends to be a tense affair. Novak Djovokic's 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic was one of the more sporting ones but had the same outcome as the Davis Cup tie between the countries earlier this year.

Djokovic therefore advanced to his 27th grand slam semi-final in defence of his Wimbledon title, showing none of the signs of vulnerability that Kevin Anderson had exposed in the previous round.

Cilic may have joined the small band of current players with a major win to their name after capturing the US Open last September, but he never quite looked capable of even snatching a set.

Only one break was therefore required in each set by the champion, who achieved the first of them early on, to lead 2-1. Cilic managed to save three sets points but not a fourth.

In the second set the break came later, in the ninth game, but the outcome was the same when Djokovic hit a superb second serve of 105mph and Cilic clipped the net.

He let himself down with a poor game to go 3-4 behind in the third set and despite holding well for 4-5 was finally beaten when Djokovic served out to take the match in under two hours.

“It was a very solid performance after a very tough five-setter against Kevin and i didn't know how my body was going to feel,” the top seed said.

“Tactically I played very well. The top players are expected to reach the final stages but you still have to earn it.”

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