World number two and top seed Novak Djokovic regrouped just in time to defeat 26th seed Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon 2014 Championships on Wednesday. The Serbian prevailed 6-1, 3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 in a match that lasted three hours and 18 minutes at the All England Club’s Court 1.
“I played a very bad game, with a couple of bad errors in the second set and the momentum changed for him to get back into the match,” Djokovic said in a BBC television interview. “He found his rhythm on serve, but I allowed him to step in. It was frustrating for me.
“You’re fighting on the court as much as your opponent, and you try to just mentally be strong and find that inner strength that can help you in those particular moments,” he explained. “That’s what helped me.”
Djokovic, a former champion at this event, will next face first-time Slam finalist Grigor Dimitrov. Dimitrov advanced after ousting defending champion Andy Murray in straight sets. Dimitrov is assured a place in the world top 10 following the victory.
Cilic said that he had a number of opportunities to secure the victory and record his first win over Djokovic.
“In the third set, Novak had a lot of chances [and was] 15/40 on my serve a couple of times. Eventually, I made the break at 5-5, and then I hit the net [on my smash] on the first point at 6-5. That changed the momentum around. I lost my service game. Then, I eventually won that third set tie-break.”
“What was sad was the beginning of the fourth [set],” said Cilic. “I gave him the opportunity to come back in the match. He went to [a] 3-0, 4-0 lead in that fourth set. From that moment, I felt [that] I needed to come back in the game. But I didn’t have any chances to do that unfortunately.”
Djokovic said that Dimitrov is not to be underestimated as the latter had been on a hot streak this season.
“It’s a big win for Grigor,” he said. “He has won a couple of titles, including on grass at Queen’s [the Aegon Championships]. He is unbeaten on grass this year, so he is the player to beat.”
