Spoiler:
Cilic also experiences shock loss
Two of the sport’s biggest names — Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic — both suffered shock second-round exits from The Championships at Wimbledon on Thursday.
Three days on from a confidence boosting victory over Grigor Dimitrov, Wawrinka was left disappointed when he lost to Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano 7-6(7), 6-3, 7-6(6).
“I'm really happy with my fitness level,” said Wawrinka, who underwent two surgeries on his left knee in 2017. “I've been practising really well the past few weeks. I've been pushing myself, pushing my body.
“I think my level is there. Now it's about getting back the confidence, winning some tough match, finding a way how to win those [big points]. Those little things can change a tournament.”
The 33-year-old Wawrinka, currently No. 224 in the ATP Rankings, is now 6-10 on the year. His best result came in February, when he reached the Diema Xtra Sofia Open semi-finals (l. to Basic).
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Cilic, who lost to Roger Federer in the 2017 Wimbledon final, saw a two-sets-to-love lead evaporate against Guido Pella in another match that was carried over from Wednesday due to rain.
“I was just not feeling as comfortable as yesterday with hitting [the ball],” said Cilic. “I was not as accurate. I was just missing some balls, some easy balls, giving him a chance to come back. That played a part. It was not just the pressure, but it was me not executing on the court well.
“It's still obviously big disappointment to lose in second round. Obviously, I played really well in these past few weeks. I’m definitely disappointed.”
Cilic returned to the All England Club on a high, following a title run at the Fever-Tree Championships (d. Djokovic) two weeks ago. The consistent Croatian also reached the Australian Open final (l. to Federer) in January and is now 28-10 on the season.
Two of the sport’s biggest names — Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic — both suffered shock second-round exits from The Championships at Wimbledon on Thursday.
Three days on from a confidence boosting victory over Grigor Dimitrov, Wawrinka was left disappointed when he lost to Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano 7-6(7), 6-3, 7-6(6).
“I'm really happy with my fitness level,” said Wawrinka, who underwent two surgeries on his left knee in 2017. “I've been practising really well the past few weeks. I've been pushing myself, pushing my body.
“I think my level is there. Now it's about getting back the confidence, winning some tough match, finding a way how to win those [big points]. Those little things can change a tournament.”
The 33-year-old Wawrinka, currently No. 224 in the ATP Rankings, is now 6-10 on the year. His best result came in February, when he reached the Diema Xtra Sofia Open semi-finals (l. to Basic).
You May Also Like: Fabbiano Completes Upset Win Over Wawrinka
Watch Live
Cilic, who lost to Roger Federer in the 2017 Wimbledon final, saw a two-sets-to-love lead evaporate against Guido Pella in another match that was carried over from Wednesday due to rain.
“I was just not feeling as comfortable as yesterday with hitting [the ball],” said Cilic. “I was not as accurate. I was just missing some balls, some easy balls, giving him a chance to come back. That played a part. It was not just the pressure, but it was me not executing on the court well.
“It's still obviously big disappointment to lose in second round. Obviously, I played really well in these past few weeks. I’m definitely disappointed.”
Cilic returned to the All England Club on a high, following a title run at the Fever-Tree Championships (d. Djokovic) two weeks ago. The consistent Croatian also reached the Australian Open final (l. to Federer) in January and is now 28-10 on the season.