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Novak on a 12-0 head-to-head record but Marin had a 2-1 lead in sets here last seaso

Djokovic is again to play for the third straight day, just like at Roland Garros when he lost to Wawrinka. Anderson almost proved too much for the No.1 this time after taking a 2-0 lead in sets and having a good opportunity in the 5th set. Cilic is in the quarterfinals once again and is once again set to face Djokovic but if there is a chance for him to end the losing streak to the top seed, it's here in Wimbledon

Cilic once again reached Wimbledon quarterfinals. He definitely had a favorable draw this time, having met three opponents of lesser quality he never met before and Isner, against whom he's on a good record. If Anderson managed to win after 2-0 against Djokovic, we could have almost started talking about Marin as the potential champion. But, let's first take a look at the Kudla match as that performance was a far from the one Marin and his coach had in mind before the match. 

Marin was faced with break points as early as the first game. He saved them, then another one and then broke the American while he served to stay in the set. Kudla after all lacks experience at this level but definitively has the game for grass court. That is why he won the second set, which seems to have shaken up Cilic, at least enough to win the third set. Things got very complicated after that. Cilic first converted a break point opportunity but allowed Kudla to do the same soon afterwards. Kudla then had a few chances to take the lead by converting another break point but instead lost that set in the very finish for the second time in the match. That was the display of the difference in the levels of their game.

- My game was at a level that was a bit lower compared to the Isner match. Especially on serve, I just wasn't that deadly. The conditions were different, the opponent as well and it took me time to find rhythm. Luckily, I played very well in the third and fourth sets. I felt great on the court, especially physically. That is really encouraging. Being the favorite is not easy sometimes, especially in the second week of  a Grand Slam. But a win is a win and that's all that matters - Cilic said and added:

- I've played three matches with opponents I never played before. I'm not complaining about the draw but Kudla won a lot of matches on grass court. He likes these conditions. He was under no pressure. Those kind of opponents are sometimes very dangerous. All the pressure was on me. 

Marin reached Wimbledon quarterfinals, just like last season. But the draw was much more demanding in 2014 as he had to beat Berdych in the fourth round. He is now once again set to take on Djokovic. Cilic must have seen his match with Anderson, especially because it almost turned out to be a big surprise. The South African had a chance to beat Djokovic in straight sets but the No.1 once again proved to be a very tough nut to crack. That left Cilic with the obstacle he never once managed to go past in the quarterfinals:

- I'm very happy with reaching another Wimbledon quarterfinals. I worked well, I prepared well and the result is there. I feel great. It's too bad Anderson didn't win. I'm not saying it would be easy but it would definitely be easier than against Novak. We all know that I never beat him but I had a 2-1 lead in sets last season and I proved I can play him. I learned some lessons from that match and this is my chance to show that.

Anderson and Djokovic match was reminiscent of the Roland Garros final. Granted, Anderson didn't hold back at all, he opened the match taking a lot of risk, which was paying off but it was Djokovic who got too defensive. Also, he made some mistakes in key moments which resulted in Anderson taking a 2-0 lead. Unlike Wawrinka, Anderson simply doesn't have that killer instinct. It seemed as if he stopped playing, his serve didn't work anymore and he probably would have lost the fifth set if the match didn't get suspended.

The new day brought about new problems for the No.1. He was again powerless on return and even had to save two back-to-back break points in the 4th game. Anderson was untouchable until 5-5 when he basically gave Djokovic a nudge into the quarterfinals. Serbia's player finished with almost 30 winners less than the opponent but managed to save 7 out of 8 break points.

- Anderson was doing great almost throughout the whole match, except in the third set. His serve was unstoppable because I couldn't predict where it would go. He was very aggressive and of course, I had to take a step back. That's normal when the opponent is that aggressive - Djokovic said to the same type of complaints he had to deal with after the RG final. He struggled in the 5th set that was played the next day as well:

- It was frustrating. I didn't stand a chance on return until that 11 game. He double-faulted twice while I fired two good forehand returns. But not then was I sure about my win. I served for the match and opened that game with 00-30. It was close up until the very end.

Djokovic is now to face a player he never lost to in his carrier. Cilic is trying to be very aggressive as well and take a lot of risk as well but sometimes he just doesn't look like a player who believes he can beat Djokovic. That is understandable since he lost all 12 head-to-head matches. He won two games at the ATP Tour Finals late last season, in Monte Carlo this season 3. However, if he stands a chance anywhere, it's here. Last year Cilic had a 2-1 lead in sets but lost power, his serve stopped working and Novak made an easy comeback. Cilic now has a Grand Slam title, more confidence and knows that grass court is where he stands his best chance to beat Novak. That is, if there is a chance anywhere. 

Cilic's score against Djokovic is 0-12, but it demonstrates more of a mental differences than difference in playing quality. We should go back a year. Djokovic and Cilic also played the quarterfinal here and Marin said before the match that if he has a chance anywhere, than it's on grass-court. The reason is his aggressiveness and serve that has become the Croat's main capital since he started working with Ivanisevic. Cilic took a 2-1 lead in sets, but he didn't win because the mental segment got involved. Their last two head-to-head matches are not relevant, but they probably influenced the odds, which is good for us. Cilic played at the Masters with an injured shoulders, and in Monte Carlo this year he was unfit for such a strong match right after the late start of the season, also because of the shoulder. Marin took a set even at Roland Garros, and he didn't play very good then. The story is simple. Cilic is not very far from Djokovic quality-wise, he has shown that on several occasions. They both admitted it, but he lacks confidence when he's finds himself in the situation that he close to win. That's the consequence of numerous defeats, authority, Ivanisevic convinced us that Cilic can win Wimbledon with the new approach. That was before the US Open, when no one believed him. Now Marin has a Grand Slam title under his belt, and his confidence must be greater. As far as this year's performances on Wimbledon, Cilic wasn't quite brilliant, but we should consider his statements. Three opponents he didn't know well, and against whom he was the favorite. He was never a routine player. He is one of those player who play better when he's the underdog on paper. I think this is a great bet. Even if he loses the first two sets, Cilic will play more relaxed, and in those situations, he really is a World Class player. That's how he won a set at Roland Garros, and he wasn't very confident there. He is confident here because he had the 2-1 in sets. If someone can make a good mental preparation, that's Ivanisevic. I have no fears concerned with playing. He can win here with his quality and style. Anderson had a 2-0 lead in sets with aggressive game and he has less options than Cilic. Monte Carlo is no measure. Cilic was in a different situation back then. He was focused more on his shoulder, and he is not very confident on clay. He said himself that it's his weakest surface. Honestly, I still can't believe that we have such a good odds on Cilic winning a set. Novak will probably win again, but he will hardly win in straight sets. Finally, if Marin has a chance to end the losing record anywhere, then it's here in Wimbledon. Everyone agreed on that even before last year when he had a 2-1 lead in sets. The bet is on WillHill's 'To win a set' under the 'set betting' section.