Nadal vs Gasquet
15:00Fourth seed Murray needed five sets to beat the 6-foot-6 player in the Davis Cup a year ago, but since then the 20-year-old has leapt almost 100 places in the world rankings to 24, and said he has become a more assured, consistent player.
“I can get some points by attacking Murray, try and be aggressive and also maybe look for some opportunities. I know his first serve is pretty big but the second serve can be up and down,” Cilic told Reuters a day after blasting Spain´s Fernando Verdasco out of his hometown tournament.
“I notice that physically he is much better than when I was playing against him last year. He knows how to play everything, to attack, to come to the net. He can change his game, that makes him really tough to beat.”
Murray, who lost in the US Open final to Roger Federer in September, is alert to the threat.
He said the fast courts and the thin air of the high Spanish capital ensured an even tougher test from the latest towering Croatian cut from the same mold as Goran Ivanisevic, Mario Ancic and Ivo Karlovic.
Cilic, from Mostar just across the Bosnian border but with a Croatian passport, put recent success down to consistency.
“Things were working well in practice then I would have a problem putting it into a match. In the last two or three months I have been moved those things onto the court”.
He has clearly built a head of steam as the season has progressed, beating Americans Andy Roddick in July and Mardy Fish at New Haven in August to clinch his maiden ATP title.
“Winning my first title helped me get more confidence. I´m on a good way with my game which helps me be a more relaxed. I don´t have to have any doubts about what I´m doing.”