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Davis Cup:  The draw for the 2010 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas has been made in Geneva. Croatia faces Ecuador team of Lapentti.

Next tournament : Marin will not play in Asia before the Master of Shanghai.

Videos : Two videos of the US Open : n°1 and n°2

In the seaside city of Porec in Croatia, it was an absolute marathon on the opening day of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semi final tie between Croatia and the Czech Republic, two nations that have won this glorious championship once before. The Croats won it in 2005 and the Czechs in 1980.

After the opening day’s singles that saw a total of nine hours 47 minutes of tennis played, the Czech Republic has placed itself one match away from the final of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas

The day started with the amazing match between Radek Stepanekand Ivo Karlovic which Stepanek won to give the visitors the early lead. It then seemed like the Czechs were cruising to a quick 2-0 lead when Tomas Berdychlead Marin Cilic by two sets to love but the lanky Croat rallied and forced a fifth set.

Berdych hangs on

Berdych then seemed to get a second wind and he rolled through the final set to seal the victory 63 63 36 46 63 in three hours 48 minutes.

Berdych was buoyed by his team mate’s unbelievable effort to beat Karlovic and opened up what seemed like an overwhelming advantage against Marin Cilic who was coming off his best Grand Slam result by reaching the quarters of the US Open. The first two sets were soon over and the third was going with serve till Cilic realised he had to do something … and fast.

He put the pressure on Berdych and broke him and then closed out the set. The fourth see-sawed with service breaks and by now the crowd was once again well and truly in the zone with the atmosphere at fever pitch. Berdych levelled the set only to drop his serve in the ninth game and Cilic levelled the match.

The final set stayed tight but Berdych broke serve to lead 4-2 and hung on to consolidate the Czech lead.

Stepanek and Karlovic in thriller

Certainly without doubt the first match was the talking point and the most amazing of all the matches on day one of the various ties, semi final and play-off.

Stepanek and Karlovic had the crowd reaching fever pitch with their excitement. Not till the last point was played and won could anyone genuinely feel the match was in the bag. There were two service breaks in the first three games of the match and not another one happened till the 29th game of the fifth set. It was then that Stepanek, who had already saved four match points, got his chance and broke serve and served out the match in the next game.

“I was not letting my mind think it was match point; I just saw them as another point which I wanted to win,” said Stepanek. “When I sat down at the end I thought they were match points. Thinking that way in the match paid off. I knew patience would be very important.”

Two records broken

After five hours 59 minutes the Czechs were leading 67 76 76 67 1614. During that time Karlovic had broken records for aces that he already held. The Davis Cup record was 47 and the world record was 55 – he powered down a staggering 78. That record may never be broken.

The match was the fourth longest in time for Davis Cup and the 82 games made it the joint-longest in Davis Cup since the tiebreak was introduced in 1989.

“The crowd was amazing, we had a lot of fans and it was like playing at home,” said Stepanek. “I was very surprised. The Croatian fans were great as well. They gave the players lots of support and huge atmosphere. It was just an honour; that’s why we play tennis, because of fans like this.”

So down it’s to the crucial doubles rubber and it remains to be seen if the two captains will stick with their original tandems – Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko for Croatia and Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Hernych for the Czech Republic.

The city of Porec in northern Croatia is playing host to the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas for the third time this year. In the first round the home side defeated Chile, in the quarterfinal they accounted for the USA in a nail-biting tie and now they are hoping the spirit of good luck will shine on them against the Czech Republic.

At the Davis Cup dinner on Wednesday night, which was a lively and fun-filled, the night before the draw ceremony, the two man band played a fantastic selection of music that had both teams having a blast. But when the Czech team got up to leave for the evening the lead singer of the band called out: “Czech team I tell you this is not a good idea to leave first. Chile and USA leave first from the dinner and both lost.”

With that Radek Stepanek took his coat back off and the guys sat down to applause and laughter.

At the draw the first name called out was that of Radek Stepanek, the No. 1 Czech player which meant that he would face the No. 2 Croat in the first match, Ivo Karlovic. Tomas Berdych who is celebrating his 24th birthday will play Marin Cilic, who is coming off a great run at the US Open which saw him reach the quarters.

The full draw is as follows:

Friday
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v Radek Stepanek (CZE)
Marin Cilic (CRO) v Tomas Berdych (CZE)

Saturday
Roko Karanusic/Lovro Zovko (CRO) v Lukas Dlouhy/Jan Hajek (CZE)

Sunday
Marin Cilic (CRO) v Radek Stepanek (CZE)
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) v Tomas Berdych (CZE)

“It feels great to be in the semis but not satisfied because we’d like more,” said Stepanek. “We prepared as much as we could and we are looking forward to the tie. Playing Karlovic is always strange and tricky, you get no rhythm. You have few chances and you have to try and take them once they come because there are not many. There will not be much rallies so it’s important to focus all the time.”

Cilic suggested he didn’t want to be labelled as the leader of his side. He said both he and Karlovic are leaders.

“It’s my pleasure to play Davis Cup and to be the number one player but I am still young and wouldn’t want to put that weight on myself as being the leader. I don’t feel that way. We have a great team and giving our best in Davis Cup. I am going to enjoy this tie as the ones before.”

The doubles rubber on Saturday has Lukas Dlouhy who won the US Open doubles with Leander Paes, teams up with Jan Hajek against Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko. However, neither of the combinations remained confident that the nominated tandems would remain the same. The comment from the two sides was: “We will see, maybe we will play.”

The final day’s reverse singles puts the two number ones opposite one another, Cilic against Stepanek and closing out the weekend it’s Karlovic against Berdych. The tie is being played on an indoor clay court at the Sportska dvorana ”Zatika”, a venue that is only ten months old and sort of looks like a multi-layered igloo.

First-ever meeting

The tie between the Croatia and the Czech Republic is the first between the two nations but both nations are Davis Cup champions – the Czechs won it in 1980 with Ivan Lendl leading them (he has said that he will be at the final this year if the Czechs make it), while the Croats did it in 2005 with Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic at the helm.

This year marks the second time Croatia has reached the semis while the Czech Republic last made the final four in 1996.

“We are happy and looking forward to being in the semi finals after four years and we have chances to take the step forward but I feel the Czechs are the favourites,” said Croatian captain Goran Prpic. “They are better ranked than our players and I watched them practice and Berdych is playing like a top five player, I don’t know why he’s not top five.”

Jarolsav Navratil smiled when he was told that but wasn’t going to be so forward and suggest the same. He said they were proud to be in the semis after 13 years.

“It’s difficult to say, we are not playing at home so I think the chances are 50-50” said Navratil. “For the first day I am happy that Radek plays first because he may play all three days.”

This Monday September 14^th the Croatian Davis Cup representation held a press conference in the tent that has been mounted in front of the sports hall. Due to the great interest of the press for this event, the press area has been extended to the press conference room in sports hall, while all the Davis Cup press conferences will be held in the above mentioned tent.

“The city of Poreč has been an excellent host during the previous two Davis Cup ties, and they helped us make it into the semifinals” Prpić told the press. Members of the Croatian representation Marin Čilić, Ivo Karlović, Roko Karanušić, Lovro Zovko, Antonio Vejić, and Ivan Dodig were also present at the press conference. The Croatian captain added that the representation will seize their opportunity in the upcoming tie with the Czech representation and a said that the players had their first practiced this Sunday. “The surface is excellent, and according to our wishes, and when it comes to the tie our chances are the same as in the tie against the USA as we can win or loose all four matches” said Prpić.

Marin Čilić was asked how the change in the time zone and surface and the good result at the US Open have affected him, and what can we expect form this semifinal tie. “I feel good, about the US Open I am very satisfied with how I played. I came to Poreč prepared, I will keep practicing during the following few days, and I believe everything is going to be all right. I am looking forward to the match, and it is also important that everyone in the team is has a very positive attitude” said Čilić. “When we are talking about the rankings Czech players are in a better position, but the quality of the players is equal. We are not running away from the responsibility, but we will use the chance we get” concluded the Croatian captain.

Q. Can you tell us what happened at 3‑1 in the second set? Just seemed to fall apart. Was it him raising his game or your game falling down, or a little of both?

MARIN CILIC: Well, I mean, definitely he started to play much better and not giving me so many chances to dictate the game. He was not missing and also putting a lot of pressure on me, and then it was tough for me to hold that level of game all the time.

Then on the beginning of the match I was playing really good and moving him a lot around, and I found after the first set that it got a lot cooler and the court was a little bit hard to play on. The ball wasn’t going through the court as much as it was in the beginning.

And then he was like all the time on top of me and not letting me to find any other solution to get back.

Q. I know it’s very short after the match, and I’m sure you’re feeling disappointment, but are you able to at least appreciate how far you got in this tournament?

MARIN CILIC: Yeah.

Q. It’s only your second time here and you’ve accomplished what you’ve accomplished. Can you feel pretty good about the tournament in general?

MARIN CILIC: Of course. I mean, I’m feeling unbelievably happy that I got to this stage. I mean, before the tournament I wasn’t in great situation with losing two first rounds and one second round in Cincinnati.

I mean, had good experience here, some great matches, one comeback after being two sets to love down, and beating Murray also. I think putting my game on another level now. Of course I have little more self‑belief that I can do well and that I’m also playing good tennis.

Q. Is there something that was working for you against Andy? I mean, different players, obviously. Do you feel you had something working for you when you played Andy that maybe wasn’t there today?

MARIN CILIC: Yeah. I would say it was definitely different match, because with Andy he doesn’t have as much power as Del Potro has, and it was a little bit hotter day that day and the ball was going through the court more and jumping much more.

So you didn’t need ‑‑ I didn’t need to force so much. Just to place the ball, and it would be enough. Weather today, you really needed to hit the ball to be able to get in some good position.

Q. What was the weather like that out there? It was windy. Was it affecting play today?

MARIN CILIC: Yeah, it was definitely, because I was struggling to find my rhythm with the serve and to hit my spots pretty good. From one side was blowing in the chest, from the other was going in the back.

It wasn’t easy to find good rhythm, and definitely I was a little bit behind with that, than him.

Q. You played against Del Potro in Australia and play again today. What can you say about his game?

MARIN CILIC: Well, I mean, what I think he is good at is that over there and over here I was one set up and also playing I think first set and a half really good today. But he was able to stay with me and to play really consistent, and he started to play much better than on the beginning. So that’s the good thing that he did today.

Q. So you did break through to best eight this time. To go to the next level, what do you think you need?

MARIN CILIC: Well, definitely more matches like this and to play against them much more, against these top guys. I think I need to also play ‑‑ from my perspective, I need to play also a lot of tennis on this high level to be able to sustain it for a longer period of time.

I mean, today I played first set and a half really good tennis, and then after I dropped it. So I have, I mean, a lot of work also to do on that.

Q. You said that you spend one week before in New York, and that you were talking to somebody or talking yourself into improving the game. Could you tell us more about it? Were you here by yourself practicing one week before the tournament, or was your coach here with you?

MARIN CILIC: Yeah, I was here with the coach.

Q. With your coach?

MARIN CILIC: Yeah. I mean, just is my usual routine before Grand Slams, having a little bit time off before the tournament, getting my mind ready for the start of the tournament, and that’s it. Nothing special.

I had some good practices and prepared pretty good.

Q. I thought you said that the two of you had long talks, you know, where your game is at and how to improve it.

MARIN CILIC: Not necessarily. I didn’t change anything in one week, so that was just getting myself into the rhythm and hitting a lot of balls and practicing good. So nothing in particular.

Q. Well, you played terrific game, not today because the weather was so awful.

MARIN CILIC: I was what?

Q. You played terrific tennis here, so I’m wondering what has changed.

MARIN CILIC: Nothing has changed. I mean, I played also good tennis before; just over here I put some things together better, and it was working good.

Cilic, just five days younger than del Potro, had stunned World No. 2 Andy Murray in the fourth round to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final and carried his blistering form into the first set of his clash with del Potro – breaking the Argentine in the fifth game before going on to close out a 6-4 one-set lead.

A poor service game from del Potro, including two double faults, handed Cilic an early break of serve in the second set and the Argentine’s hopes in the match appeared to hang in the balance as Cilic moved to within two points of a double break lead at 1-3, 0/30 on del Potro’s serve.

It proved to be the turning point in the match as del Potro rose to the occasion and went on to win 11 of the next 13 games and take a two-set-to-one lead. Where Cilic’s forehand had been potent in the first set and a half, it proved unreliable as del Potro mounted his comeback and fell down against the Argentine’s improved aggression from the back of the court as he turned the match around.

‘Definitely he started to play much better and not giving me so many chances to dictate the game,” Cilic said about the turnaround. “He was not missing and also putting a lot of pressure on me, and then it was tough for me to hold that level of game all the time.”

Del Potro raced to a 5-0 lead in the fourth set against an increasingly despondent Cilic, who had no answer to the Argentine’s dazzling play. The Croatian restored some pride and avoided a whitewash as he broke del Potro in the sixth game as he served for the match. But his reprieve was short lived and another forehand error brought up match point for the Argentine on Cilic’s serve at 1-5, 30/40. As another Cilic forehand found the net – one of 53 unforced errors he committed in the match – del Potro clinched victory after two hours and 33 minutes of play in extremely blustery conditions on Arthur Ashe stadium.

World No. 17 Cilic also lost in four sets to del Potro in the Australian Open fourth round, having won the first set on that occasion too. He was bidding to become the first Croatian man to reach the US Open semi-finals since Goran Ivanisevic in 1996, and the fourth overall to reach the semi-finals at a major.

The Zagreb resident is expected to return to the Top 15 in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings following his result at the US Open. He reached a career-high No. 13 on 18 May this year following two ATP World Tour titles at the start of the season in Chennai (d Devvarman) and Zagreb (d. Ancic).

“I’m feeling unbelievably happy that I got to this stage,” he said. “Before the tournament I wasn’t in great situation with losing two first rounds and one second round in Cincinnati.

“I had good experience here, some great matches, one comeback after being two sets to love down, and beating Murray also. I think putting my game on another level now. Of course I have little more self belief that I can do well and that I’m also playing good tennis.”

No. 16 seed Marin Cilic, just hours removed from his straight-set mastery of hard court virtuoso Andy Murray, felt relieved more so than excited after pulling off one incredibly formidable upset at this 2009 US Open.

“I’m feeling tremendously happy,” said Cilic, who won 7-5, 6-2, 6-2. “Of course it’s biggest result for me so far. And after reaching this four times last 16, was a little bit relief after I won it.

“Now that I don’t have this blockade in my head, I can look forward, and, of course, focus on the next matches.”

The Croatian sensation broke brackets and English hearts at Arthur Ashe Stadium this afternoon in a tidy, 2 hour and 8 minute affair that was one-sided after the opening set. From there, Cilic established his serve—Murray would go 0-for-7 in break point opportunities—and scarcely allowed Murray to get comfortable and counterpunch from the baseline, charging the net with authority and volleying more frequently and with far better accuracy.

“(Murray) was a little bit struggling to get on my serve to win few points in a row, so that was key thing for me,” said Cilic. “And of course definitely that I was playing from inside the court really good and moved him around and didn’t rush too much.

“When I had my chance, I was going for him. When I was in the tougher position I would stay in the rally pretty good. Physically wise, I was feeling okay and moving pretty nice.”

Murray, a 2008 US Open finalist and a trendy a pick to overthrow Roger Federer’s five-year reign at Flushing Meadows, was 37-3 in matches on hard courts in 2009, including his first three victories at this year’s Open. Only once in the past eight tournaments had the hard court match win leader going into tournament play failed to advance past the round of 16 (James Blake – 2007).

Afterwards, Murray fielded questions from reporters who cited color commentator Patrick McEnroe’s analysis that the Brit lost focus in the latter sets. He shrugged it off and blamed the poor result on a mix of fatigue and a balky left wrist.

“No, I mean, I think one of the things about me that I’ve been very good at the last couple of years, I’ve been saying that I find ways to get back into the matches mentally, and I think very strong… I don’t know what it was. Like I said, you know, against (Paul) Capdeville I felt a little bit low on energy. And it’s not an excuse, but it’s not good in a Grand Slam to feel that way.”

The 20-year-old Cilic, who was 0-3 in his career versus the current No. 2 seed coming into today’s match, also fired 35 winners to Murray’s 13. He will play in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal and also is the first Croat to reach the final eight at the US Open since countryman and idol Goran Ivanisevic did so in 1996.

Cilic, like many Croatians, idolized Ivanisevic and remembers celebrating with friends and family when the former world No. 2 captured Wimbledon in 2001.

“I mean, he is the one who brought tennis on a high level in Croatia, and everybody looked at him as a hero. Even from all the other athletes, he was one guy who was most likeable with his personality and everything. I mean, he also played with me when he was finishing his career. He helped me a lot, so he’s a really nice guy.”

Sixth-ranked Juan Martin del Potro, who ousted No. 24 Juan Carlos Ferrero, will meet Cilic in a matchup of two of the youngest and brightest stars on the ATP Tour. The Argentinean del Potro and Cilic, who will both turn 21 before the end of September, are the youngest players left in the men’s draw.

“He has the potential,” said del Potro in his own post-match press conference of Cilic. “He’s a very good player, because, has a very good future. For sure if he beat Murray he’s confident. It will be very tough for me.”

In January, Cilic suffered a four-set setback to del Potro at the 2009 Australian Open 5–7, 6–4, 6–4, 6–2. To avenge the Melbourne loss and reach the semifinals, Cilic will pull from the Murray triumph, the biggest win of his career.

“Maybe (del Potro is) even here playing a little bit better on the US Open courts,” said Cilic. “But definitely I think I have my chance. If I take positive things from today, I can put it in the next match, and, of course, take advantage like that. I think he can play really well, but I think I have also some game that can hurt him.”

Q. Incredible result today taking out one of the hottest players from the summer season. You must feel tremendous about your accomplishment today.
MARIN CILIC: Yes, I mean, I’m feeling tremendously happy. Of course it’s biggest result for me so far. And after reaching this four times last 16, was a little bit relief after I won it.
Now that I don’t have this blockade in my head, I can look forward, and, of course, focus on the next matches.

Q. This is your first Grand Slam quarterfinal?
MARIN CILIC: Yes. Yes, it is.

Q. That’s quite an accomplishment.
MARIN CILIC: Uh huh.

Q. You’re facing now a player who I think you’ve played him in Australia, if I’m not mistaken.
MARIN CILIC: Yeah.

Q. He’s been playing tremendous tennis. Your thoughts on a quarterfinal match coming up?
MARIN CILIC: Yeah, I mean, definitely he’s a player to watch. I played him there in Australia, and I would say that he’s — maybe he’s even here playing a little bit better on the US Open courts.
But definitely I think I have my chance. If I take positive things from today, I can put it in the next match, and, of course, take advantage like that.
I think he can play really well, but I think I have also some game that can hurt him.

Q. By blockade, do you mean the blockade in your head? Did that service break at the end of the first set to go to 6 5 get you over that?
MARIN CILIC: I mean, blockade was just in my head losing four times in last 16. So by getting into this match, wasn’t also easy to prepare.
But I would say I was mentally really, really good out there on the court and mostly thinking about what I’m going to do next, so that was really positive.
What was the other question you asked?

Q. That service break to go to 6 5 in the first set, what did that mean to you there?
MARIN CILIC: Well, first set was up and down from both of us. He also had a breakpoint on 3 4, and I had breakpoint when he served an ace, so it was the game was I think we were both of us searching a little bit for the game to set up everything there.
When I hold my serve for 5 All, I think I relaxed a little more. I had little more confidence after that. He made few unforced errors, and played really bad game from that side with the wind.
So it was much easier for me to finish it off with the wind a little bit in my back.

Q. What happened the last two sets? What happened with your game? How did it click?
MARIN CILIC: I mean, I stay really focused on what I have to do, and I think the break in each of the last two sets helped a lot, as I was also putting a lot of I was putting him a lot of under pressure and serving good, I would say.
He was a little bit struggling to get on my serve to win few points in a row, so that was key thing for me. And of course definitely that I was playing from inside the court really good and moved him around and didn’t rush too much.
When I had my chance, I was going for him. When I was in the tougher position I would stay in the rally pretty good. Physically wise I was feeling okay and moving pretty nice.

Q. Were you surprised that he wasn’t more consistent? Because you’ve played him a bunch of times. You just hit steady. He made a lot of unforced errors.
MARIN CILIC: Yeah, well, it was a little bit windy from one side to another. It’s tough to say, but definitely he made a lot of unforced errors, and that helped me a lot to be confident in my game and the tactics that I put out there. That was also very helpful.

Q. You beat him when he was a junior, and then you lost three times in a row as a pro. Does having a result as a junior mean something after many years?
MARIN CILIC: I’d say juniors were a very long time ago, and it’s tough to judge for that result. I don’t even think about it at all.
For the other one, for the other question, I think he won those first three matches that we played. Even though they were pretty close, I think I was also playing pretty good with him all the time.
Here I think I made this breakthrough, and now of course gives me more confidence when I’m going to play other guys, and that on Grand Slams I can go very far.

Q. Where were you when Goran won Wimbledon in ’01?
MARIN CILIC: I was at home, of course, watching as every other Croatian on the TV. I mean, that was his fourth final, so it was history moment for everybody.

Q. You were not by chance at that wild parade when he came back and they were ripping off his clothes and trying to get souvenirs?
MARIN CILIC: No, I wasn’t there. It was a little bit away from my home. I mean, didn’t want to go there too much.
So I stayed at home and, of course, celebrated with everybody else.

Q. Can you describe what it was like being a Croatian tennis player, still pretty young, but you were a player at that point.
MARIN CILIC: Yeah.

Q. Thinking maybe it would be your turn one day?
MARIN CILIC: I mean, he is the one who brought tennis on a high level in Croatia, and everybody looked at him as a hero. Even from all the other athletes he was one guy who was most likeable with his personality and everything.
So for us I think younger ones was also big help money wise, and there was much more sponsors coming into the tennis, and also federation. So it was a big help for the young ones to come up.
And definitely, I mean, he also played with me when he was finishing his career. He helped me a lot, so he’s a really nice guy.

Q. How did he help you?
MARIN CILIC: I mean, he was in 2002/2003 he was staying in Zagreb and practicing all the time with me when he was there. He connected me with his ex coach, Bob Brett, which I am here with. He was also a great help, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to get in a connection with Bob.

Q. What makes Bob a great coach, do you think?
MARIN CILIC: I mean, he coached great players. He has a lot of experience, and he brought me this knowledge that helps me to understand much easier some things.
If I would be with somebody else who is not that experienced on Grand Slams level and top level, it would take me maybe a year or two more to get some things out of it. So I think I’m learning quickly.
And as my results show on the Grand Slams, it works pretty good. He knows a lot about tennis, and other things, too, so…

Q. Were you in Zagreb when Croatia beat the United States?
MARIN CILIC: Yeah. In 2003?

Q. Yeah.
MARIN CILIC: Yeah, I was there.

Q. And then you became part of beating the United States?
MARIN CILIC: Yeah. That’s true, yeah.

Q. Those are highlights, I imagine, for your career.
MARIN CILIC: Yeah, I mean, definitely this victory over U.S. now in July at home, it’s one of the greatest moments in my career. Playing for a nation, that brings much more than playing for yourself.
Of course, by that, I have much more knowledge in Croatia and much more people know me now. Of course, they’re expecting like this next tie to also be good for us.

Q. Going to win the Cup?
MARIN CILIC: We’ll see.

Q. Were you affected at all by the war when you were young?
MARIN CILIC: No.

Q. What were your feelings coming into the tournament? Your results were somewhat a bit up and down. How were you feeling confidence wise coming into the US Open?
MARIN CILIC: I was trying to get more matches on these three tournaments that I played in Washington and these two Masters Series.
First two I didn’t play too well, but I would say in Cincinnati I played some good tennis. I lost there to David Ferrer. Coming here was maybe not easy, but maybe not the best preparation. I had a week of practice and got my thoughts a little bit back and worked pretty good, so I think that was good thing to do.

Q. But you also came back from two sets down against Levine. How did you turn that around?
MARIN CILIC: Me, I was feeling that physically I was able to sustain it for long period of time. First two sets, I didn’t play too good. I was missing a lot. He’s kind of player that he’s pretty consistent from the back, but he doesn’t have any big weapons. So he was more a matter of me putting my things together than something else.

Q. Are you working in San Remo or some other place?
MARIN CILIC: San Remo when I’m free, and sometimes in Zagreb.

Q. How much time would you say you’re in Croatia?
MARIN CILIC: Sorry?

Q. How much time are you in Croatia every year? Few weeks, or more than that?
MARIN CILIC: Tough to say, because when I’m finishing the tournaments I go back there, and then depending. But I don’t know, two months maybe.

Q. How would you describe the tennis in Croatia right now this year?
MARIN CILIC: Which part of tennis?

Q. When you were here four years ago, there was a whole bunch of boys with you from Croatia. What happened to them?
MARIN CILIC: I don’t know. I mean, they got a little bit lost. It’s never easy to — you mean for young ones and juniors and everything from my generation?

Q. Yes. Your generation.
MARIN CILIC: I mean, it’s tough, because this breakthrough from futures to challengers, this part takes a lot of energy and also takes a lot of work.
So I would say that in Croatia we don’t have maybe some guys don’t have a place where to practice and get some best advises. So it’s tough to say, but it’s more on every person how he deals with it.

Q. Did you call your family already?
MARIN CILIC: No.

Q. Do you speak fluent Italian?
MARIN CILIC: No.

Cilic def. Murray (2) : 7/5 6/2 6/2 !!!

Marin Cilic did not let it worry him that he had lost to Andy Murray in all three of their previous meetings. He was unperturbed by the Scot’s blistering form in 2009, that has seen him win five ATP World Tour titles already. Marin Cilic simply rose to the occasion in front of a packed Arthur Ashe stadium Tuesday afternoon and produced one of the finest performances of his young career to send the World No. 2, and last year’s runner-up, crashing out of the US Open 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 and reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

“I’m feeling tremendously happy. Of course it’s biggest result for me so far. And after reaching the last 16 four times, was a little bit relief after I won it. Now that I don’t have this blockade in my head, I can look forward, and, of course, focus on the next matches.”

After saving four break points in the first set, including two that were set points when he trailed 4-5 15/40, Cilic hit back to earn the first service break of the match at 5-5 as a Murray forehand clipped the net and landed wide. More uncharacteristic loose errors for Murray proved costly as Cilic closed out the one-set lead when the Scot sliced a backhand into the net.

While it can be said Murray was below par, Cilic was quick to take advantage and his brave, aggressive hitting from the back of the court paid dividends in the second and third sets as Murray had no answer to the Croatian’s dominance on the baseline. Cilic broke serve four more times to set himself up with the chance to serve out victory, and did so in style – with three blistering service deliveries propelling him to match point, which he converted after two hours and eight minutes.

In explaining his devastating performance in the final two sets, Cilic said: “I stayed really focused on what I have to do, and I think the break in each of the last two sets helped a lot, as I was I was putting him under a lot of pressure and serving good, I would say. He was a little bit struggling to get on my serve to win few points in a row, so that was key thing for me. And of course definitely that I was playing from inside the court really good and moved him around and didn’t rush too much.

“When I had my chance, I was going for him. When I was in the tougher position I would stay in the rally pretty good.  Physically wise I was feeling okay and moving pretty nice.”

In defeating a Top 3 player for the first time in his career, Cilic became the first Croatian to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Goran Ivanisevic went on to reach the semi-finals in 1996.

The Zagreb resident is contesting just his second US Open main draw and joins a group of five players in the Open Era to have reached the quarter-finals in so few attempts. On debut last year he fell to World No. 3 Novak Djokovic in the third round.

For a place in the semi-finals Cilic will face World No. 6 Juan Martin del PotroJuan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets. Cilic lost to del Potro in their first tour-level meeting in the fourth round of the Australian Open at the start of the year. – just five days his senior – who cruised past 2003 finalist

“Definitely he’s a player to watch,” praised Cilic. “I played him there in Australia, and I would say that maybe he’s even here playing a little bit better on the US Open courts. But definitely I think I have my chance. If I take positive things from today, I can put it in the next match, and, of course, take advantage like that. I think he can play really well, but I think I have also some game that can hurt him.”