MELBOURNE—While such stylists as Roger Federer, Nick Kyrgios and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga can reveal their visceral and layered qualities even when watched on smart phones, Marin Cilic can appear robotic and monochromatic. But viewed up close, this man from Croatia’s movement and ability to shape the ball reveals deceptive texture and the skill that comes from hard work and sustained discipline.
Thus it was that Cilic, more craftsman than artist, entered the Australian Open’s utilitarian venue, the Hisense Arena, for a third-round match versus Ryan Harrison.
Cilic’s backhand is a laser, a shot he can drive forcefully from just about anywhere on the court. The serve borders on elegant, a first-rate shoulder turn and well-placed toss contributing to a delivery that thunders both power and accuracy. And though Cilic’s forehand has moments when he loses shape and strikes it too flatly, when hit with confidence, aided by reasonable amounts of topspin, it pairs nicely with his backhand for a lethal barrage.
Over the last year, Harrison had turned his career around. Ranked as high as 43 in the summer of 2012, as recently as the fall of 2016 he was outside the Top 100. But beginning last year, when he won the first ATP tour singles title of his career in Memphis, Harrison began to play much better tennis. By year’s end, he’d climbed back up to 47. His 2018 began well too with a run to the finals in Brisbane. And now, versus Cilic, Harrison was hoping to reach the round of 16 at a major for the first time.
There is a cadet-like quality to Harrison’s bearing—the short hair, the posture, the assertive stride. That was vivid this evening, Harrison in white shorts and a blue and black shirt, seeking to maintain his poise and effectively go toe-to-toe with an opponent who’d won five of their previous six matches. Harrison, too, has a fine serve and often builds his points on the ability to strike big with his forehand.
Match Point: