By ROY WARD at Melbourne Park
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DANDENONG’S Marinko Matosevic was unable to move out of the first round of the Australian Open on Margaret Court Arena on Tuesday evening.
Matosevic lost to No. 12 seed Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in front of a near full crowd.
The towering Croatian proved too strong for the nimble Australian who got himself to break-point against Cilic in each of the three sets but was unable to find the winner he needed.
Cilic’s consistency and ability to pass Matosevic at key times proved to be the decisive element in the game.
Matosevic looked sharp in the opening set and led 4-3 and had Cilic 15-40 before his opponent held serve, broke the Australian the next game and claimed the set.
The second set moved in the same direction with Matosevic again getting to 4-3 and 15-40 but again he could not get past Cilic.
Matosevic also used up all his challenges so was unable to review the set-winning point when 6-5 down. Cilic’s shot was called out by the line judge but over-ruled by the chair umpire, handing Cilic a two set lead and leaving Matosevic aghast.
In the third set, Cilic broke early and powered home to victory although Matosevic got within a point of a break late, before Cilic hit consecutive winners to claim victory.
Speaking post-game, Matosevic said he was in “disbelief” to be out of the tournament and the Australian summer circuit without winning a set.
“I thought I had played quite well but here I am out of the Australian summer without winning a set,” he said.
“I can’t believe it, I felt I was the better player and I had chances in each set.”
Matosevic remains in the men’s doubles tournament.
