| Match: Finished | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M. Cilic (CRO) (6) | 6 | 6 | 7(7) |
| B. Tomic (AUS) | 2 | 4 | 6(3) |
| Completed Sets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Set won by M. Cilic | 7(7) - 6(3) | M. Cilic leads 3 to 0 |
| Set won by M. Cilic | 6 - 4 | M. Cilic leads 2 to 0 |
| Set won by M. Cilic | 6 - 2 | M. Cilic leads 1 to 0 |
Bernard Tomic will be back in action at the Australian Open, but it’ll be a tough first-round for him as he takes on last year’s finalist Marin Cilic. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:30pm (AEDT).
The Australian had a woeful 2017 – one he would rather forget – as his career went from low to low.
He was well outside the top 100 throughout the year, being forced to qualify for grand slams and having to work his way back from the bottom of the pile after taking some time off tennis.
While his level of effort has frustrated fans at times, Tomic had a better finish to 2018, and it was even more impressive that he was able to keep focused and concentrated while playing on the Challenger circuit.
Still, the level of dedication to win a few tournaments and haul himself back into the top 100 was impressive, securing Tomic automatic qualification to the Australian Open.
His only lead-up tournament to the Aussie Open was at Kooyong, where he took on Jack Sock and fellow wild star Nick Kyrgios. Neither match was all that high-intensity, but Tomic was serving well and played solidly all the way around.
However, he is going to need to go up the gears to compete with a player of Cilic’s character, who made the final here last year and outside of the big three, is probably the next best player in the world.
Cilic though may well be a bit rusty heading into this match with a dangerous player like Tomic, given he hasn’t played a match in the lead-up.
While reports suggest he has been hitting well, the world No.7 hasn’t been sighted on court since the Davis Cup final in November.
The pair have played three previous matches, with Cilic taking two of them. However, their last match was in 2015 as Tomic won in Montreal.
Prediction
Tomic has some matches in the legs and could well take Cilic to the post here with a bit of an attitude shift, but in the end, the Croatian is probably going to get the job done.
Cilic in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this first-round Australian Open clash from around 8:30pm (AEDT) or at the completion of Ashleigh Barty’s match on Margaret Court Arena and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Jock the sock
Guest
How does peaheart get into these tournaments as he never wins or shows anything. He should retire with Sam Stosur.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 Australian Open. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back tomorrow with four matches, while we will have seven calls across the site and live scores of every other match. I'll be starting at 11am (AEDT) with Destanee Aiava and Madison Keys, while Stuart Thomas will be live at the same time with Ajla Tomljanovic and Johanna Konta. We will also have the calls of Alex Bolt, Samantha Stosur, Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Daria Gavrilova throughout the day. Until then though, it's goodnight.
Simoc
Guest
No surprises here. I guess the term "journeyman" sounds harsh but that is where Tomics career is at. And probably Kyrgios will soon join him with his current attitude. Pity these guys won't do the hard yards as the old fellas are nearly gone.
John Allan
Guest
Let's all wave goodbye to Peaheart Bernie. What, no "trick serves" tonight?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Elsewhere on The Roar right now, you can follow the live scores of Roger Federer’s first round match against Denis Istomin, as well as Andy Murray and Roberto Bautista Agut, who are currently into a fifth set.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Marin Cilic defeats Bernard Tomic in straight sets Marin Cilic is through to the second round of the Australian Open, getting the better of home crowd favourite Bernard Tomic in straight sets. Out on Margaret Court Arena, Tomic was in the game at various points, but struggled to match the level and output on display from last year's finalist on a consistent basis. After losing the first set 6-2, Tomic looked stronger in the second set, but got broken at the last moment with the Croatian taking a two-set lead. The third looked at points like it was going to be a runaway train for Cilic, but as he got an opportunity to serve for the match at 5-3, he was broken as Tomic found his mojo. The Aussie then got it into a tiebreaker, but couldn't hang on despite taking the mini early break. Cilic takes on Mackenzie McDonald in the second round, with the American upsetting Andrey Rublev in four sets earlier today. Cilic..... 6 6 7 Tomic... 2 4 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, MARIN CILIC That's the end of that and Bernard Tomic is out of the Australian Open in straight sets. Got forward nicely to a drop shot there to finish it off, playing the volley at full speed up the line, past Tomic who could do nothing about it. Not a terrible effort from Tomic, but he came onto the court without the preparation required and the inconsistency throughout his performance showed. Cilic..... 6 6 7 Tomic... 2 4 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Cilic. The second is returned down the line on a forehand and Tomic gets into the point, but then smokes the backhand long. Three match points for Cilic. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 6 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cilic with a fault. The second is returned on an excellent backhand, then Cilic comes to the net and plays an outstanding volley after a ball popped over. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 5 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tomic up to the net this time. Lovely work and he volleys it over with Cilic unable to get there. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 4 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Tomic. The second is returned on a huge backhand, then Cilic attacks, hit a corner forehand and Tomic nets a runner. Mini break for Cilic as we hit the two-hour mark. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 4 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cilic with a fault. The second is returned on a backhand, but Tomic can only push it wide crosscourt. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 3 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Cilic goes wide. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 2 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tomic having to play too much defence here, but he gets away with it, managing to play a forehand with depth as Cilic sends a forehand wide. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 1 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Tomic. He is right on the back foot here after a good return and Cilic nails the inside out forehand. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 1 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cilic to serve first in the breaker. He starts with one out wide which is blocked in, then Cilic sends a backhand wide. Mini break! Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 0 Tomic... 2 4 6 - 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Tomic holds. TIEBREAKER Cilic..... 6 6 6 - Tomic... 2 4 6 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve, drop shot and Cilic only just got there, but played a staggering volley down the line and over the high part of the net. Cilic..... 6 6 6 - 15 Tomic... 2 4 5 - 40