SHANGHAI: US Open champion Marin Cilic suffered a shock defeat at the Shanghai Masters yesterday, as the Croatian desperately chases points to make the end of season ATP World Tour Finals.
The ninth seed in Shanghai lost to compatriot Ivo Karlovic 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7/2) at a pivotal moment in his season.
Cilic is sixth in the race to London and is bidding to qualify for the season finale involving the top eight men’s players for the first time.
But Karlovic, who is ranked 31st by the ATP, served impeccably, delivering 20 aces to Cilic’s nine in a game which lasted two hours and 16 minutes.
Cilic lost his quarter final in the China Open last week to another player bidding for a place in the end of season finale, Britain’s Andy Murray.
Elsewhere in Shanghai, American John Isner fired 22 aces in his 7-6(7/5), 1-6, 6-3 victory over Pablo Andujar of Spain to make the second round.
The 13th seed in Shanghai lost to world number six Czech Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals in Beijing last week, but was content with his performance in the Chinese capital and in Shanghai.
Meanwhile, Richard Gasquet of France defeated compatriot Jeremy Chardy 7-6(7), 6-2 to set up a second-round clash with Berdych, the eventual runner-up at the China Open. AFP
