Thiem edges out Cilic in Canadian Open

Austrian second-seed Dominic Thiem has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic.

Thiem fired 11 aces and saved all nine break points against Cilic, while breaking the Croatian 2014 US Open champion once in four opportunities during the one hour and 54-minute contest.

The world No.4 has won three titles so far in 2019, including a victory on clay at home in the Generali Open, where he defeated Spaniard Albert Ramos Vinolas in straight sets.

Thiem will next face eight-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia, who beat Cristian Garin of Chile 6-3 6-3.

Medvedev, who joked he hoped not to cross paths with Nick Kyrgios in Montreal after losing to the Australian 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-4) at the Washington Open final, has enjoyed a strong run.

The world No.9, who defeated Kyrgios’ first-round conqueror Briton Kyle Edmund in the second round, is yet to drop a set at the tournament.

German Alexander Zverev defeated Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 7-5 5-7 7-6 (7-5) in an epic contest than spanned almost three hours.

Zverev’s serve was his best friend and worst enemy, with 15 aces and 14 double faults during an arm-wrestle that saw him score just one point more in total than Basilashvili.

The 22-year-old French Open quarter-finalist struggled to make the most of his chances against Basilashvili, converting just five out of 18 break points.

But Zverev, ranked world No.3, will now face Karen Khachanov, who defeated 19-year-old local hope Felix Auger-Aliassime in a similarly competitive showdown.

Khachanov beat Auger-Aliassime, currently the youngest man in the ATP’s top 100 players, 7-6 (9-7) 5-7 6-3 in two hours and 52 minutes.

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