Dominic Thiem vs Marin Cilic - Rogers Cup Pre-Quarters - Preview and Prediction

It is always exciting for tennis aficionados when two equally talented players clash against each other. It is Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem locking horns this time in the pre-quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup. Both players have beaten the Big Three- Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic a couple of times in their career.

Cilic has had a bad season so far, reaching the fourth round in the Australian Open, second round in the French Open and the second round at Wimbledon. He reached the quarterfinals in the Madrid Open where he gave a walkover to Djokovic and lost to Daniil Medvedev in the Washington Open quarterfinals. The Croat, however, is feeling a bit more confident now having won two matches back to back in straight sets against Bradley Klahn and John Millman. Cilic has reached the quarterfinals in two years of the Rogers Cup and knows the right strategy to win. He is steadily getting into the groove ahead of the US Open, a tournament he won in 2015.

On the other hand, Thiem has had a great season beating favorite Federer in the Indian Wells finals, King of Clay Rafael Nadal in the Barcelona Open semifinals and clinching the crown.  He followed it up with another title in the ATP 250- Generali Open in his home country. The Austrian, however, needs to be more consistent in the Grand Slams. A second-round retirement in the Australian Open, first-round loss in the Wimbledon do not do justice to his potential. His back to back runner-up performance in the French Open finals in 2018 and 2019 has compensated for his dismal show in the other Grand Slams.

Thiem has made a smooth transition to the hard courts of Montreal after playing on clay in the Generali Open. He was clinical in overcoming home favourite, Denis Shapovalov, in a pulsating three-set encounter in the round of 32. Thiem had had five first round exits in the Rogers Cup before turning the tide this time out.

It will be a battle between Cilic's booming serves and Thiem's powerful one-handed backhand. The first set is crucial for both players as it will set the momentum for them. Thiem leads the head to head record, 1-0, having beaten Cilic three years ago in the Brisbane Open quarterfinals.

Both the players will have a point to prove ahead of this mouthwatering clash.

Prediction

Marin Cilic to win in three sets