Australian Open: Marin Cilic stares down history by reaching final

Marin Cilic will attempt to become just the sixth man since 2005 to become a multiple grand slam winner on Sunday night.

Croatia's Marin Cilic celebrates beating Britain's Kyle Edmund in their men's singles semi-final. Picture: AFP.

Marin Cilic will attempt to become just the sixth man since 2005 to become a multiple grand slam winner when he plays in the Australian Open final on Sunday night.

The Croatian continued a stellar fortnight in Melbourne when outpointing surprise semi-finalist Kyle Edmund 6-2 7-6 (4) 6-2 last night in 2hr 18min.

Cilic will rise to a career-high ranking of three regardless of how he fares in the final, where he awaits the winner of Roger Federer’s semi-final with Korean Hyeon Chung tonight.

Should his opponent be Federer, it will rekindle discussion of their clash in last year’s Wimbledon final when Cilic, badly hampered by foot blisters, became emotional when unable to perform at his best.

Regardless of who he faces, the first Croatian player to reach an Australian Open final declared he would be fully fit.

“The great thing is that I have two days off and it is going to be a nice one on Sunday,” Cilic said.

Cilic has rebounded strongly from that loss and remains one of the most dangerous players in the world given the power of his groundstrokes and serve, combined with outstanding agility for a man of his height.

These traits were evident last night as he overpowered Edmund on Rod Laver Arena.

The 29-year-old, who was in a strong position against Rafael Nadal when the world No 1 withdrew injured in the deciding set of their quarter-final, saved a couple of break points early against the Englishman.

The 2014 US Open champion gained the upper hand in the fifth game by seizing the initial break of serve by forcing Edmund into error.

Edmund, who played in Great Britain’s first Davis Cup triumph in 79 years and had previously reached the fourth round of the US Open in 2016, earned his way through to the biggest moment of his career with distinction.

He had already conquered Kevin Anderson, a US Open finalist last year, and Grigor Dimitrov, the winner of the ATP Tour Finals in November.

But not only was he conceding Cilic experience, he also appeared hampered in his sideways movement, which resulted in him receiving treatment at the end of the first set.

Nonetheless, under new coach Fredrik Rosengren, he appears a far tougher player both mentally and physically.

And the Yorkshire resident fought hard through a second set which also included a feisty discussion with the umpire.

Edmund is renowned as an icy customer on court, despite his youth, but he was riled by a call at 2-all in the second set.

It sparked further effort in him and a half-opportunity at 4-all presented that would have allowed him to put the semi-final back on level terms had he been able to claim it.

But Cilic proved was able to serve himself out of a hole at 0-30 and was able to edge ahead in the tie-breaker.

When he secured an early break of serve at 1-all in the third set, a spot in his second grand slam final in seven months was just a few service holds away.

Should Cilic face Federer, he will at least know that he is capable of defeating the 19-time grand slam champion, even if the head-to-head record reads 8-1 to the Swiss.

For his sole victory over the defending champion came when he clubbed him off Arthur Ashe Stadium in a semi-final in 2014 en route to his victory over Kei Nishikori in the US Open final.

At their most recent meeting, he pushed Federer to three sets in the ATP Tour Finals in London in November.

“Roger is always looking to play extremely aggressive … so I think with my own game, if I am serving well and playing aggressive … I think I can match him with my game,” he said.

He has played Chung three times for as many wins, the most recent a 7-5 7-6 (3) victory in Brisbane earlier this month.

“He played a few extremely great matches and … the court suits him nicely for his game,” Cilic said.

“It is amazing to watch him and great to see him coming up nicely.”