July 8, 2021 - Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić are in the Wimbledon doubles final!

Croatian tennis players and the first-seed of Wimbledon Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić advanced to the final, defeating the American-British team Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury 7:6 (6), 6:3, 6:7 (2), 7:6 (5) in the semifinals after three hours and 22 minutes of play.

There were no breaks in the first set, and the decision fell in the thirteenth game, which Mektić and Pavić secured with two mini-breaks. The Croatian duo saved three break points in the third game of the second set and then used the first one with a 3:2 lead.

A great fight took place in the third set. Ram and Salisbury threatened several times, but the decision fell again, as in the first set, in the thirteenth game. However, this time, Ram and Salisbury were better and extended the match at 7:2.

Ram and Salisbury had the break in the fourth set, but the Mektić and Pavić returned immediately in the next game. With a 6:5 lead, on the opponent's serve, Pavić and Mektić were at 0-30, but they failed to finish the match. However, in the thirteenth game, Mektić had a great return, and Pavić served to celebrate. 

Mektić has played only one Grand Slam final in his career, while Pavić has won two Grand Slams in the men's doubles competition, celebrating in 2018 at the Australian Open and the US Open in 2020.

Mektić and Pavić have lost only five matches this season, they have won seven titles, and this is their first joint Grand Slam final. They were defeated in the semifinal match at the Australian Open, while they missed Roland Garros after testing positive for coronavirus.

This was Mektić and Pavić's fourth duel this year against Ram and Salisbury, and the best doubles team in the world won all three previous clashes - in the final of Eastbourne and Rome and the semifinal in Miami. 

In the final, they will play against the Spanish-Argentine team Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. They were better than Italian Simone Bolelli and Argentine Maximo Gonzalez 6:4, 6:4, 7:6 (3) in the semifinal.

Source: HRT

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July 7, 2021 - Croatian duo Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić are in the Wimbledon doubles semifinals! 

The best doubles team in the world, Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić advanced to the semifinals of Wimbledon after a big turnaround and a 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory against the winner of this 2017 tournament, Polish player Lukasz Kubot and Brazilian Marcelo Melo, after three hours and 40 minutes of play.

Mektić and Pavić, who have already won seven tournaments from nine appearances in the finals this year, remained in the game to win their first joint Grand Slam title. Recall, the Croatian team was stopped in the semifinals in Australia and didn't play at Roland Garros due to positive COVID-19 tests. And after the first hour and a half of this duel, it looked like their trip to Wimbledon would end in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, both of them struggled when serving and often made double faults. Pavić lost the serve in the sixth game of the first and Mektić in the third game of the second set. 

It was enough for Kubot and Melo to take a 2-0 lead in the sets as they were not faced with a single break point in the first two sets.

However, in the third set, the situation began to change. Pavić saved the break point at 3-3, and Mektić two at 4-4, after which they had a break to secure the third set. Mektić brilliantly hit the return on Kubot's serve on the set point. It was a sign that Mektić and Pavić became a better duo on the court.

There were no breaks in the fourth set, although Mektić and Pavić had as many as five chances with the 4-3 lead on Kubot's serve, three of which were played. However, in the tie-break, Mektić and Pavić made it 5-0 and calmly brought the match to an end.

Mektić and Pavić were 4-4 at the beginning of the 5th set and Mektić brought the duel to an end with his serve.

In the semifinals, Mektić and Pavić will play against the winner Juan Sebastian Cabal / Robert Farah and Rajeev Ram / Joe Salisbury.

Source: HRT

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July 3, 2021 - Mate Pavić and Nikola Mektić have not let their absence from Roland Garros be known as they move their way into the third round of the Wimbledon doubles tournament!

Croatian tennis players Nikola Mektić, Mate Pavić, and Ivan Dodig were successful in their men's doubles matches at Wimbledon played on Friday.

Mektić and Pavić, who are the first seed of the tournament, convincingly defeated Australians Alex De Minaur and Matt Reid 6-2, 6-4, while Australian Open winners Dodig and Slovak Filip Polašek beat Slovak Norbert Gombos and Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-1 in the first round.

In the third round, Mektić and Pavić will play against the winner of the match between the Bosnian and Serbian duo Tomislav Brkic and Nikola Cacic and New Zealander Marcus Daniello and Austrian Philipp Oswald.

The fifth seed Dodig and Polašek will play Spaniard Jaume Munar and Briton Cameron Norrie in the second round.

The top-ranked Croatian tennis player Marin Čilić (ATP - 37) advanced to the third round of Wimbledon after defeating French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi (ATP - 119) on Thursday 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5 ) after three hours and three minutes of play.

In the third round, Čilić will play against the second-best tennis player in the world, Russian Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.

It will be their second duel, though the first was played two years ago in Washington when the Russian tennis player celebrated in two sets (6-4, 7-6).

By entering the third round, Marin achieved his best result at Wimbledon since 2017, when he came one step closer to the title, losing in the final to Roger Federer in three sets.

Recall, Donna Vekić lost in the second round to Karolina Pliskova, while Petra Martić lost in the second round to Irina-Camelia Begu. Martić and American doubles partner Shelby Rogers are in the second round of the doubles competition. 

Source: HRT

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July 2, 2021 - It will be Marin Čilić against Daniil Medvedev, the 2nd-best tennis player in the world, in the third round of Wimbledon to be played on Saturday. 

The top-ranked Croatian tennis player Marin Čilić (ATP - 37) advanced to the third round of Wimbledon after defeating French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi (ATP - 119) on Thursday 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5 ) after three hours and three minutes of play.

In the third round, Čilić will play against the second-best tennis player in the world, Russian Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.

It will be their second duel, though the first was played two years ago in Washington when the Russian tennis player celebrated in two sets (6-4, 7-6).

By entering the third round, Marin achieved his best result at Wimbledon since 2017, when he came one step closer to the title, losing in the final to Roger Federer in three sets.

Čilić was a better opponent against Bonzi, leaving the Frenchman without a chance to break in three of the four sets. His only issue was serving in the second set when he allowed Bonzi to reach two consecutive breaks in the fourth and sixth games, but it did not last long.

The key to winning the first set was a break in the ninth game, after which he used the first set point. After losing the second set, Čilić recovered very quickly and, with one break, took the lead with 3-0 at the beginning of the third set. That was a sufficient advantage, as Bonzi did not get much of a chance. In the fourth set, Čilić missed two opportunities to break in the third game.

The decision to end or continue the match fell in a tie-break in which Čilić took a 5-1 lead, and Bonzi came close to 5-4 with three consecutive points. Čilić won the next point on the serve and reached two match points. He missed the first but turned the second into a win.

It was Čilić's 31st win at the All England Club, and for the eighth time in his career, he reached at least the third round at Wimbledon. He will now face Daniil Medvedev, who equaled his best Wimbledon result achieved in the last two editions of the third Grand Slam tournament of the season by entering the third round.

Source: HRT

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June 25, 2021 - Croatian tennis players have found out their Wimbledon opponents! The tournament will be held from June 28 to July 11, 2021. 

The only Croatian representative in the men's competition at this year's Wimbledon, Marin Čilić, will face Salvatore Caruso in the 1st round, while both Croatian representatives in the women's competition will compete against 20-year-old Russians - Donna Vekić v. Anastasia Potapova and Petra Martić v. Varvara Gracheva, was determined by a draw on Friday, reports Gol.hr.

Čilić, the 2017 Wimbledon finalist, was appointed the 32nd-seed of the tournament after Austrian Dominic Thiem pulled out on Thursday, so he was faced with slightly easier rivals at the beginning of the tournament.

In the 1st round, he will play against the current 97th player in the world, Caruso, who lost in the first round in his only appearance so far at Wimbledon two years ago. If he wins against Caruso, Čilić will play in the 2nd round against the better of the two qualifiers, Argentine Marco Trungelliti and Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, but in the 3rd round, he could face the second-best player in the world, Russian Danilo Medvedev.

Donna Vekić also received a not-too-demanding rival in the first round, 20-year-old Russian Potapova, the 82nd player in the world, who has played twice at Wimbledon so far and achieved only one victory.

However, in the 2nd round, the 25-year-old from Osijek will have a much more demanding task because she could play against the eighth seed, Czech player Karolina Pliškova or the Slovenian Tamara Zidanšek, who recently reached the semifinals of Roland Garros.

Petra Martić, who is set to be the 26th seed, will play against Gracheva, who currently holds 82nd place in the WTA rankings. This will also be her Wimbledon debut. If she wins against Gracheva, Martić will play in the 2nd round against the Romanian Irina Begu or the qualifier.

Vekić and Martić could be joined in the first round by Ana Konjuh if she defeats the Bulgarian Cvetana Pironkova in the last round of qualifications.

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July 14, 2019 - Croatian tennis player Ivan Dodig and his Taiwanese partner Latisha Chan won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon just a month and a half after they celebrated at Roland Garros.

The experienced 34-year-old who has specialized in playing doubles for the last few seasons made it to the men’s doubles semi-final with Slovakian partner Filip Polášek, though with Chan, he has gone all the way.

Dodig and Chan faced Swede Robert Lindstedt and Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in the final on Sunday which they won in two sets, 6:2, 6:3, and managed to overcome their opponents in an hour and nine minutes of play. 

Dodig and Chan came out fierce and ready to win - and in less than 20 minutes, they led 5:0 in the first set. Although the Swedish-Latvian duo won two games in a row, it was impossible to get back into the game, as Dodig and Chan once again took Ostapenko's serve at 6:2.

Lindstedt and Ostapenko held their own in the second set, all until Dodig and Chan led 4:3 and at 15:40 used their first chance to break their opponent. Dodig and Chan had no problem serving for the match - and the rest was history. 

Ivan Dodig and Latisha Chan beat Robert Lindstedt and Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-3 in the mixed doubles final at Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/VBVCYt4Gw2

— ? Tennis on telly ??? (@tennisontelly) July 14, 2019

This is Dodig’s fourth Grand Slam title in his career. Recall, he has three titles in mixed doubles (and all three with Chan) and one in the men’s doubles competition. This is, however, his first Wimbledon win, as he has only celebrated at Roland Garros (French Open) so far.

More soon...

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Ivan Dodig will play in the men's doubles semi-final for the second time in his career after he played in the 2013 final with Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo. 

The Croatian Tennis Federation reports that Ivan Dodig and partner Filip Polašek are in the men's doubles semi-final of Wimbledon! The Croatian-Slovakian duo once again showed their strength and overcame the New Zealand-Dutch duo Marcus Daniell and Wesley Koolhof in the quarter-final in three sets - 6:2, 7:6 (1), 6:3. 

Dodig and Polašek allowed only one break point (in the 10th game of the second set) when Daniell and Koolhof equalized at 5:5 to lose that set in a tie break. In the decisive set, they broke their opponents in the 6th game and calmly concluded the match. 

This is Dodig’s second time advancing to the Wimbledon semi-final in the men's doubles competition. Recall, in 2013, he played in the final (when his partner was Brazilian Marcelo Melo). For a new chance at the Wimbledon final, Dodig and Polašek will play against Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. 

Croatian representatives continue to succeed in the mixed doubles competition as well. Franko Škugor and Romanian partner Raluca Olaru will play in the quarterfinal of the tournament after defeating the sixth seed Nikola Mektić and Alicja Rosolska with a score of 6:2, 6:2. Škugor and Olaru will play against the winner of Peers/Zhang and Lindstedt/Ostapenko.

Mate Pavić and Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski (3rd seed) continued their second-round mixed doubles game on Tuesday after it was suspended on Monday due to darkness. Pavić and Dabrowski managed to beat Jamie Murray and American Bethanie Mattek Sands - 6:4, 3:6, 6:3. Their opponents in the round of 16 will be New Zealander Artem Sitak and German Laura Siegemund.

Dodig will also play in the mixed doubles round of 16 with partner Latisha Chan against Roger-Vasselin and Andreja Klepač.

Recall, Croatia no longer has any representatives in the singles competition after Petra Martić, Marin Čilić, Donna Vekić and Ivo Karlović were eliminated.

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After Marin Čilić was eliminated on Thursday, Petra Martić remained Croatia’s only representative in the singles competition of the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon.

In the third round of Wimbledon on Friday, Petra Martić met American Danielle Collins, the 25-year-old from Florida who is currently 34th on the WTA ranking, reports 24 Sata on July 5, 2019.

Martić immediately took her opponent's serve in the first game of the match and did not give up her advantage until the end of the first set. Martić did not allow Collins a single opportunity to break her and took the first set with a score of 6:4 after 37 minutes of play. 

In the second set, Collins broke Petra in the sixth game. Martić had the chance to break Collins in the next game and the ninth game, though she was unable to execute and allowed Collins to take the second set at 6:4.

There was no denying that Petra was the queen of the third set. To date, Petra has won 11 third sets in a row, and it only seemed reasonable that this figure would climb to 12.

On the wings of the second set, Collins entered the third and immediately took Martić’s serve in the first game to confirm a 2-0 lead. Collins’ game rose, and Petra’s fell, but it didn’t take long before the fighter in her shined -  Petra won three gems in a row for a brilliant comeback. 

Both players had convincing serves and gave few opportunities to one another. However, Martić led 5-4 and put pressure on Collins. Her nervousness was visible, and Collins missed two easy backhands to help Martić win a spot in the round of 16 with a score of 6:4, 3:6, 6:4.

Thus, Petra’s dream season continues. This year, she won her first WTA title in Istanbul, reached the quarters of Roland Garros as her best result at a Grand Slam tournament, and lost in the semifinal of Birmingham.

The last time Petra played in the round of 16 at Wimbledon was in 2017 when she played a brilliant match against Rybáriková but lost in the third set. 

More soon...

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July 4, 2019 - Petra Martić is Croatia's last remaining hope in the singles competition of Wimbledon. 

Another victory for Petra Martić at Wimbledon! After defeating American Jennifer Brady by coming back from 0:1 in sets, Martić defeated18-year-old Russian Anastasia Potapova (71st on the WTA ranking) with a score of 3:6, 6:3, 6:4 for a spot in the 3rd round.

After losing the first set, Petra lost her service at the start of the second set, and things weren’t looking too promising. However, Petra woke up and started to play, and held her first strike firmly until the end of the match. In the decisive set, Petra broke her opponent already in the first game - and Potapova saw no return. 

On her way to the victory, Martić hit one ace, realized 60 percent of the first serve, and executed four out of nine break points (Potapova only three out of 17). With this win, Petra has reached a new career ranking - and is currently the 19th best female tennis player in the world. In the third round, Petra will play against American Danielle Collins.

After defeating the 7th seed Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas, it was Thomas Fabbiano (89th on the ATP ranking) to advance to the third round of this year's Wimbledon after he defeated Ivo Karlović in a big battle of five sets and more than three hours of play. Fabbiano won 6:3, 6:7 (6), 6:3, 6:7 (4), 6:4.

Fabbiano took Karlović’s serve on three occasions during the match, and Karlović had only one break point in the ninth game of the decisive set - Ivo played an excellent volley, but the Italian came back with a brilliant backhand on the line. Fabbiano won in the next game. In the end, Ivo managed 38 aces and realized 64 percent of his first serve.

Just like last year, Marin Čilić finished his Wimbledon tournament in the 2nd round. Namely, Portuguese player Joao Sousa (69th on the ATP ranking) defeated the 13th seed of the tournament and former finalist in an easy three sets - 6:4, 6:4, 6:4.

To make matters worse, before this game, Marin had not lost a single set in his four encounters against Sousa, though he was utterly helpless on Thursday. 

Namely, Čilić did not use any of the 12 break points in the match and made 46 unforced errors (Sousa only seven). He had nine aces (and realized 51 percent of the first serve) with as many as eight double faults. 

After this loss, it is almost impossible for Marin to keep his existing ranking  (18th) in the months ahead - and if we were to base his ranking on this year alone, he’d be 54th. 

In the doubles competition, Nikola Mektić and Franko Škugor won in the first round,  as did Mate Pavić and Brazilian partner Bruno Soares.

All results are courtesy of HTS.

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The celebrated Goran Ivanišević has joined the team of the world’s best tennis player, Novak Djoković.

Just before the start of Wimbledon, Goran Ivanišević has joined the team of Novak Djokovic, the current best tennis player in the world, reports HRT on June 30, 2019.

After training Marin Čilić, Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonić, the celebrated Croatian tennis player will also work with a Serbian tennis player who has won 15 Grand Slam tournaments, which is just five behind record-holder Roger Federer.

According to the latest information, Ivanišević will remain with Djoković for the first week of Wimbledon and then returns to Umag where he is the director and ambassador of the ATP tournament in that Croatian town.

Novak Djokovic has added yet another new member to his staff, as Goran Ivanisevic will help coach the 15-time Grand Slam winner over the next two weeks at Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/DxVlsZon6O

— Tennis Photos (@tennis_photos) June 30, 2019

"It was strange, a bit of an unexpected call, and it surprised me, as I was just traveling to Sweden. I finished that yesterday and came to my first training session today. I will only be able to be here for one week, because I have obligations I am trying to postpone,” Ivanišević said.

“However, when Novak Djokovic calls you, that's a big deal. It is great recognition for me as a trainer, because he does not just choose anyone he likes or doesn’t like. If you can help him, he’ll choose you. I am glad that Vajda agrees with that. I hope it will last,” he added.

A collaboration of these two tennis aces has been speculated for a long time. Recently, there were joint photos that suggested something might happen.

Otherwise, two years ago, Djoković's team featured the former well-known Croatian tennis player Mario Ančić, also during the Wimbledon tournament. 

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