Marin Čilić: ‘I am extremely proud of myself’
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(photo / US Open)
Defending US Open champion Marin Čilić says that he is ‘proud of myself’ after defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 5-sets at Flushing Meadows in New York to reach the semi-finals…
Čilić needed just under 4 hours to beat the hard-hitting Frenchman 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 6-4, and last year’s winner says that his performance was something to be proud of.
“I am proud that I stuck to it and did not give up from the plan, even when Tsonga took it into the 5th set. It was physically tough and demanding, I am extremely proud of myself. The atmosphere was pumped and I want to thank those that stayed and supported me,” said the 9th seed after the match.
Čilić, who took a 2-0 lead had 5 match points, had to dig deep when Tsonga staged a fight back.
“It was a big mental battle, especially when I lost the fourth set. Tsonga was playing excellent, it was physically tough and also physiologically tough and hot,” said Croatia’s number one.
Čilić now meets world number one Novak Djoković tomorrow for a place in the final.
