Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, London

Round Robin, Day 6: [CR4] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs. [CR9] Marin Cilic (CRO)

The thought of not winning one match at the Tour Finals was a powerful stimulus for Cilic.  As the reigning US Open Champion, much was expected of him; however, the pressure of the occasion got to him and he struggled with his nerves as well as with his desire to compete at a higher level. He never found his rhythm consistently to play at the level he did earlier this year in winning the US Open.

Just when it appeared that Cilic had conquered his nerves and found some rhythm, he immediately faltered on serve after going up a break in the third. Despite the fact that Wawrinka played poorly as well, he was able to capitalize on Cilic’s fragile mental state and won the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Cilic goes home without winning a match at this year’s Tour Finals and a reminder that tennis is a humbling sport.