RAFAEL NADAL VS MARIN CILIC LIVE
THIRD SET (*denotes server)
*NADAL 6-3 3-6 1-0 CILIC
Both players took a break to the changing rooms for a quick freshen up. Nadal might have needed that as he looked flustered throughout that second set.
And it clearly did the Spaniard some good as he gets the third started with a love-service game.
SECOND SET
NADAL 6-3 3-6 CILIC*
Defensive backhand from Nadal flies long, two set points Cilic. Nadal backhand wide. Cilic levels the match. We have a match here.
*NADAL 6-3 3-5 CILIC
Nadal holds comfortably. Can Cilic get the reward his performance in this set deserves next?
NADAL 6-3 2-5 CILIC*
Cilic backhand long, 30-all. Pressure is building. Huge forehands from Cilic, 40-30. And an ace to hold. Stunning tennis from the big Croat.
*NADAL 6-3 2-4 CILIC
Nadal holds to 15 with a sixth ace of the match.
NADAL 6-3 1-4 CILIC*
Big serving and hitting from Cilic and he consolidates the break impressively. We have a game on our hands.
*NADAL 6-3 1-3 CILIC
Cilic goes on the attack and wrong foots Nadal with a forehand winner, 15-30. Nadal forehand long, 15-40.
Time violation warning for Nadal. Nadal shanks a backhand out. Cilic breaks. Game on.
NADAL 6-3 1-2 CILIC*
A sixth forehand winner from Cilic, 30-15. And an ace down the T to hold.
*NADAL 6-3 1-1 CILIC
Gorgeous footwork from Nadal to turn defence into attack and whip a forehand up the line, 40-15.
Too good from Cilic as he takes the attack to Nadal and finishes with a forehand winner, 40-30. 107mph second serve from Nadal to hold.
NADAL 6-3 0-1 CILIC*
Bad mistake by Cilic with the forehand, 15-30. But he fights back with some big serving to take the lead.
FIRST SET
*NADAL 6-3 CILIC
Good rally between the two men but Nadal catches him out with a backhand at his feet. Two set points for Nadal.
And he holds after 36 minutes when Cilic puts a return long.
NADAL 5-3 CILIC*
Impressive serving from Cilic as he powers down his third ace of the match. Nadal to serve for the set next.
*NADAL 5-2 CILIC
Cilic is really trying to get after Nadal’s serve with his returns. And that might have got into Nadal’s head as he hits a double fault, 40-30.
But a big wide serve gets Nadal through.
NADAL 4-2 CILIC*
Cilic nets a forehand, 15-30. Then he hits one long, two break points again coming up.
And the second seed breaks again when his backhand pass is too much for Cilic.
*NADAL 3-2 CILIC
Nadal puts a defensive backhand wide, 15-30. Cilic forehand winner, two break back points.
And Cilic does respond to break back with a big return which gets the error from Nadal.
NADAL 3-1 CILIC*
Problems for Cilic as he puts a backhand into the tramlines, 15-30. Then puts another wide, two break points.
And he pulls a forehand wide to gift Nadal the break of serve. Terrible from Cilic.
*NADAL 2-1 CILIC
An ace from Nadal to close out the game. Excellent serving from the second seed.
NADAL 1-1 CILIC*
Good, aggressive start by Cilic as he takes the game to Nadal. I wonder how long it will last.
*NADAL 1-0 CILIC
Nadal holds to 15 when Cilic puts a forehand return long.
00:11: The players are out and going through their warm-up routines. Nadal will serve first.
00:08: The players are in the tunnel talking to TV. Not long till we get started!
23:55: Ahead of the match, Jim Courier has been breaking down the key to the battle.
23:50: Elsewhere at the US Open, Gael Monfils currently leads Pablo Andujar. The Frenchman won the first set 6-1.
22:30: Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of Rafael Nadal’s fourth-round clash against Marin Cilic at the US Open.