It’s not the day’s big story in the world of sports. It’s not even the big story at the Paris Masters—that would be the battle for No. 1 between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. But Marin Cilic’s qualification for the ATP World Tour Finals is certainly worth mentioning, and appreciating.
The 28-year-old Croat has hovered inside the Top 15 all season, but a midseason push helped him reach the year-end Top 8. When clay gave way to grass, Cilic began to resemble the Grand Slam champion that he is. He nearly beat Murray in the Queen’s Club final, losing in three sets, and he should have beaten Roger Federer at Wimbledon after taking a two-set lead. It would turn out to be Federer’s last victory of 2016, but even in defeat, Cilic was just getting started.
After a summer swoon saw Cilic lose another two-set advantage in Davis Cup play, he won the Cincinnati Masters, reached the semis in Tokyo and took the Swiss Indoor title. And with his 6-3, 7-6 (11), victory over David Goffin on Thursday, Cilic secured passage into the Paris Masters quarterfinals and a Chunnel ticket to London.
“It’s been a huge last 10 days for me,” Cilic told the ATP. “I played very well today. I had the pressure and David had beaten me the past few times. I want to keep going now and can’t wait to return to The O2.”