Tennis: Australian Open 2018

[CanadianFlyer88]

That's the only set Fed has lost in the tournament.

If he closes this out in four, I still think this might be his easiest major. I know he went perfect at Wimbledon last year, but he had some tough 3 setters.

Long way to go yet, though.

 

[Deficient Mode]

Roger did well to throw in a bunch of slices in that 2-3 game. Cilic had developed too much rhythm in the rallies and was just outpacing and overpowering Fed.

 

[Tuggy]

Cilic doesn't have many answers.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

Cilic quickly to 30-0, but Fed claws back to get a break chance. Fed gets the break. The end is nigh.

Fed looks to have found another gear. Cilic is in trouble, as Fed consolidates easily.

First double fault for Cilic and Fed follows up with a return winner to get a look at 15-30. Cilic recovers for 30-30, but doubles again for another break chance. Nice recovery from Cilic to get it back to deuce and he goes on to hold.

Fed in service cruise control. Easy hold.

Cilic replies in kind with a quick hold.

Cilic quickly to 0-30. A crack in the armour? Fed doubles for 0-40. There may be drama yet, as Cilic breaks at love.

Cilic doubles, himself, for 30-30 and Fed gets a look at 30-40. Cilic saves it with a good first serve. Cilic consolidates the break and is up 4-3.

From cruise control to off the rails. Fed can't get a first serve in and Cilic is quickly up 0-30. Two break points and Cilic just misses at 30-40. Great rally from a Fed advantage that Cilic wins to get it back to deuce. Fed with a second serve ace to get the ad back, but Cilic is all over his second serves and gets it back to deuce. Another break chance, as Fed cannot get a first serve in. Cilic breaks and will serve for the set.

Fed looks done. Needs a reset, similar to the 4th set against Nadal last year. Cilic holds at love to seal the set. Damn.

 

[rangerssharks414]

Roger is up a break after winning four straight points while down 0-30. Ouch.

 

[Tuggy]

This could be a quick set.

 

[Deficient Mode]

How little it took to make Cilic crumble entirely

 

[rangerssharks414]

Cilic saves a break point that pretty much would have ended the match. I still think Roger wins the set, but we’ll see. His serve has been great.

 

[Tuggy]

Well that came out of nowhere.

 

[Tuggy]

Cilic holds and we'v got a match.

 

[rangerssharks414]

Roger’s serve has been failing him lately.

 

[rangerssharks414]

Roger looks old. I can’t see him winning this match now.

 

[Tuggy]

Cilic breaks and will serve for a 5th set.

Huge momentum shift in this match the last 3 games.

 

[kihei]

Roger maybe got a little ahead of himself, but he has got to get the pressure back on fast--no more hoping for mistakes.

 

[Tuggy]

And we're going to a final set.

Gotta like Cilic's chances at this point.

 

[rangerssharks414]

Roger’s serve was amazing for the first three sets. The last set, not so much.

 

[kihei]

Kind of feels like the genie is out of the bottle.

If memory serves two sets to one leads in GS finals have bit Roger before with Cilic (and with del Potro, too).

 

[Beau Knows]

Federer's game has vanished. Cilic has a very good chance to take this.

 

[Plural]

Federer looking so weak. Cilic might just take this.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

Unlucky for Cilic at 30-30 as Fed clips the line, but he gets it to deuce. And then gets a break point, but it goes wanting. Right back to another break point, but a big service winner from Fed. Draining opening game, but Fed holds.

Fed calls out the linesman. Not liking his attitude right now. Cilic is in his head.

Cilic doubles for 15-30, and doubles again at deuce and Fed breaks out of nowhere.

Great point by Cilic to get it to 30-30, but can't take advantage and Fed consolidates.

Cilic gets a quick hold to put the pressure back on Roger.

First easy hold for Fed since the early 4th set. 4-1.

Cilic fighting nerves now. Quickly 0-30. Gets a point back, but Fed gets two break opportunities. Eerily similar to the last set at 0-3. Fed breaks this time.

Fed to serve for #20!

Three match points... And he does it!

 

[Tuggy]

And Federer breaks. 2-0.

We'll see how Cilic responds.

 

[rangerssharks414]

Nothing is coming easy for Federer, but he’s up 3-0.

 

[Plural]

What the hell just happened? Did Federer improve or Cilic freeze? 0-3 now.

 

[Beau Knows]

Strange match. Both players refusing to really take a stranglehold on the match once they get up.

Every Federer service game is an adventure right now, but he knows how to win even with his C game.

 

[Plural]

Strange match. Both players refusing to really take a stranglehold on the match once they get up.

Every Federer service game is an adventure right now, but he knows how to win even with his C game.

Yeah. His serve is lacking since the 4th set and his game is seemingly bit off, yet he still leads the 5th.

Edit. And as I wrote this he served excellently amd didn't lose a single ball.