Marin Čilić has dropped out of the Australian Open in the round of 16.
At the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, which is being held in Melbourne, Croatia’s best tennis player lost to Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP-24) 7:6 (6), 3:6, 2:6, 6:4, 4:6. The two took the game to five sets and played for over four hours. It was their sixth meeting and the second win for the Spanish player, reports Večernji List on January 20, 2019.
Both players went into the match well and kept their serves until 4:4. Bautista Agut had the first break, but Marin returned in the next game. The first set went to the 13th game in which Marin was better 8:6.
In the continuation of the match, however, Čilić experienced difficulty.
In the second set at 4:3 for Bautista Agut, Marin saved two breaks, but not the third. After he took the service, the Spaniard won the second set (6:3).
At the start of the next set, Marin lost his service again, and Bautista Agut had a break at 2:4 - he won the third set 6:2.
In the middle of the fourth set, Čilić pressed the rival, had two opportunities to break in the lead at 3:2, though Agut was able to save them. Marin threatened again at 5:4 and ultimately went on to win the fourth set.
The winner was decided in the fifth set.
At 4:4, Marin saved two breaks, but the Spaniard took advantage of the third and came to the lead. Roberto Bautista Agut retained his service and thus achieved another win over Marin Čilić.
In other Australian Open news, Franko Škugor lost in the mixed doubles round of 32 on Sunday, though Mate Pavić and his mixed doubles partner Gabriela Dabrowski will play in the round of 16 on Monday against Jean-Julien Rojer and Chan Hao-ching.
Nikola Mektić will play in the men's doubles round of 16 with partner Kevin Krawietz on Monday. The two will face Bruno Soares and Jamie Murray.
Borna Ćorić plays French representative Lucas Pouille in the round of 16 on Monday. Ćorić and Pouille have played each other two times, and Ćorić has celebrated in both meetings.
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