Australian Open 2019: Bernard Tomic falls to Marin Cilic in straight sets

Bernie Tomic looked the part against Marin Cilic but never threatened to raise the temperature let alone the roof in his opening round defeat at Melbourne Park.

Australia's Bernard Tomic reacts after a point against Croatia's Marin Cilic. Picture:

Despite a straight sets dumping from this year’s Australian Open, Bernie Tomic will likely feel it has been much worse

One year ago, while Roger Federer was clinching his sixth Australian Open crown, Tomic was being bitten by a snake in the African jungle as he fronted, very briefly, the 2018 ‘I’m a Celebrity’ TV show.

Most people felt sorry for the snake sniped social media at the time, cruel but indicative of how far he had fallen.

There has since been something of a resurrection, a September tournament win in China catapulting Tomic safely inside the world top 100 once more.

But he has not played competitively since and his opponent Marin Cilic, beaten singles finalist last year and sixth seed this time has picked up a Davis Cup in the intervening months.

Australia's Bernard Tomic reacts after a point against Croatia's Marin Cilic. Picture:

In truth, Cilic was just that bit better when it mattered, rarely giving the impression of fully extending himself against the Australian who must surely feel, “that could have been me”.

They are, on the face of it, much alike, Monte Carlo residents both and rangy, square-shouldered men, at face value not the type to encounter anywhere late at night but on Margaret Court Arena they put on a solid, if not spectacular, match, Cilic triumphant 6/2, 6/4, 7/6 in just over two hours.

Cilic though, with $US25 million winnings and a US Open singles title has trousered about five times as much prize money as his under achieving neighbour.

“It was a high quality match and it’s very tricky to play Bernie,” said Cilic.

“He has an unbelievable touch and he jerks you around the court.”

Tomic is 26 and at a crossroads. His career will not fall on this one result but he has to take heart and move on.

He looked the part against Cilic but never threatened to raise the temperature let alone the roof with play that stuck to the formulaic yet came tempered with the occasional brilliance to only further frustrate.