Andy Murray vs. Marin Cilic: Score, Report from 2014 IPTL Philippines Clash
Marin Cilic defeated Andy Murray 6-5(3) after a five-minute shootout during the final clash of the Indian Premier Tennis League's debut fixtures on Friday.
The result confirmed a 29-24 victory for the UAE Royals, who won four of the five single-set matches to dominate the Manila Mavericks in the Philippines.
Such a quick match means every shot counts, and Cilic raced into a 3-1 lead, dominating the court with powerful shots from the baseline. He appeared imposing and dominant from the serve, sending Murray chasing and immediately putting him on the defensive.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Cilic became overconfident, however, and suffered with sloppiness after establishing a 3-2 lead. He overhit one shot from the baseline before finding the net with an unneeded chip, which allowed Murray to level the score. The Scot utilised his serve well and took the next game to establish a lead, despite hitting a double fault.
Cilic fought back and once again found his range and opened the court up well. The Croat lured Murray in before hammering a deep shot to the baseline—a useful tactic throughout his showing.
Murray slowed Cilic, who continued to move forward on the front foot, in the next game. The Mavericks' momentum diminished once more when Murray fired a simple return into the net to make it 5-5.
A shootout beckoned, but the Brit gave a cry of annoyance after missing a shot to go 2-1 down. He then followed this with a lazy dink, which failed to cross the net. Further mistakes all but handed Cilic the win.
Murray was 6-3 down with under a minute to go, and Cilic slammed home a tremendous winner with the court gaping.
The Croat posted 10 winners to Murray's two, while also making 11 unforced errors to his opponent's 16, per Sky Sports' television coverage. He smashed home five out of six net points and controlled the court well in 36 minutes of play.
It simply wasn't to be for the Scot or his team.
Earlier in the day, Goran Ivanisevic defeated Carlos Moya to provide the Royals with an opening 6-5 lead. With every game counting, Murray and Maria Sharapova's 6-4 loss to Nenad Zimonjic and Kristina Mladenovic widened the deficit.
Cilic and Zimonjic also overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Treat Conrad Huey 6-4, before Sharapova fought avidly to defeat Mladenovic 6-5(3).
Murray's performance was below par, especially as he's expected to stand up as a leader for the team.
Cilic and the Royals appeared formidable. The U.S. Open champion was prone to hitting a little too hard at times—perhaps giving his all due to the lack of stamina needed—but he will be confident of dominating the new competition in the coming weeks.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
