ATP Basel Quarterfinals: Stepanek vs. Cilic

Basel, Switzerland – Wild card Croatian Marin Cilic survived a second round scare against Serbian Viktor Troicki by saving three match points in a third set tie-break to eke out Troicki 7-6(7), 6-7(8), 7-6(6). Cilic, the fourth seed in Basel, has been the most on-form player during the fall swing. After reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the US Open, Cilic went on to finish runner-up in Beijing (l to Djokovic) and Vienna (l. to Melzer). The only hiccup on his fall resume was a first round exit at Shanghai where he lost to Czech Tomas Berdych 6-7(8), 6-3, 4-6.

Next up for Cilic is Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. Cilic and Stepanek have met twice before in their careers but only on clay. They are split 1-1 lifetime. Stepanek beat Cilic in Gstaad (2007) while Cilic owns the more recent victory as he beat Stepanek at Roland Garros this year 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-3.

Stepanek had a great start to the season racing to two titles in Brisbane and San Jose. He also had a runner-up finish in Memphis. Since the early season, Stepanek has slowed down but managed to remain consistent despite. Recently, Stepanek has picked up pace as he is through to his third straight quarterfinal. He reached the Shanghai Masters quarters and the Vienna quarters last week.

On paper, there is very little that separates these two players. Cilic weighs in at No.13 in the world, has a 46-19 mark and two titles. Radek Stepanek weighs in at No.14 in the world, boasts a 43-18 mark and two titles. If there were separator, it would be age. Cilic is only 21 while Stepanek is getting up there at 30.

Tennis Betting Line: Radek Stepanek vs. Marin Cilic

Match Time: 08:00 AM Eastern Time Friday November 6, 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: For many reasons, Cilic is the player expected to win outright in spite a lack of a clear “on paper” edge. This is partly because there are high expectations of this young up-and-comer and because he has been the most in-form player since the US Open. Yet Stepanek is not the sort of player one can dismiss easily. Stepanek is a tricky opponent to play against and perhaps one of the most resolute players, tough to beat. Not for nothing does Stepanek have big career wins under his belt. For all these parts, this match is a bit of a tossup in my opinion, if not tipping ever so slightly in Stepanek’s favour. The biggest factor to play into the outcome would be the fact that Cilic is after an emotional and gruelling three setter against Troicki. He might be a tad pooped. Whereas Stepanek is also after a three-setter in the second round against Florent Serra 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(1) but he has the advantage of a day’s rest as he played his quarterfinal match on Wednesday.