Kevin Anderson hit 12 ACES goals to reach the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory over lucky loser Roberto Caballes Baena. Anderson didn't pick up match point at 5-4 and the match was dragged into seven innings.
Anderson said: "I was 2/4 behind in the seventh inning, but I managed to improve my form and I played very well and ended the game with two straight sets. ”
The former world-no.5, last reached the ATP Tour quarterfinals at the Vienna Open in Elster in October 2020. (against Rublev), next against sixth seed Marin Cilic. The two men recorded 6:1 as Cilic led.
Sixth-seeded Cilic reached the quarter-finals with a 6-7 (5)/ 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Portugal's Waika Borges.
Cilic overpowered the 24-year-old in the first set to take a 5-2 lead and took three sets 40/0. But Borges, (which was his first time in an ATP Tour draw), fought back all the way, saving the match point and taking the first set in a tiebreaker.
But after a rainy delay, it was Cilic who returned in state. He improved his serve level and did not face a break in the second set to win 6-4. In the third set, Cilic saved five break points and finally ended the third set after 2 hours and 27 minutes to seal the victory.
"I think I played well (on clay). I obviously went through some ups and downs again today, but I felt good on the pitch and hit the ball well," Cilic said. "For me, it's mentally important to win games like that, to lose the first set and then play it back. Yesterday's victory was also not easy. It's a small win for me, and I want to get better and better every day. ”
Cilic will face Anderson in the following matches, fighting for a spot in the Estoril semifinals.
This is a showdown of post-80s veterans. They are all diligently pursuing themselves on the ATP field, constantly overcoming themselves and seeking their former selves. Admirable.
Cilic, who holds 18 ATP Tour titles, is eager to win the cup for the 19th time. In the rising arena of young players, they often compete with players who are nearly half their age. It's really tough.