French Open 2019 – Grigor Dimitrov vs Marin Cilic Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Grigor Dimitrov vs Marin Cilic taking place? TBC, Roland-Garros, Paris
When is Grigor Dimitrov vs Marin Cilic on and what time does it start? Wednesday 29th May, 2019 – (not before) TBC (UK)
What channel is Grigor Dimitrov vs Marin Cilic on in the UK? ITV4 & Eurosport are sharing broadcasting rights for the French Open so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I stream Grigor Dimitrov vs Marin Cilic? Televised matches can be streamed via the ITV Hub & Eurosport Player
Where can I get tickets for Grigor Dimitrov vs Marin Cilic?
https://tickets.rolandgarros.com/en/home
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Grigor Dimitrov 1-4 Marin Cilic
Last meeting: Marin Cilic beat Grigor Dimitrov 7-6, 6-4
THE PLAYERS
GRIGOR DIMITROV
- Grigor Dimitrov went two sets up in his first-round match against Janko Tipsarevic but was forced into a decider by the Serbian before winning at the death.
- Dimitrov’s play style is well admired as one of a few one-handed backhanders still left in the game but he has fallen away fast from the player who won the ATP Finals in 2017.
- The Bulgarian has a 4-1 deficit in his head-to-head with Marin Cilic, last beating him in 2015 at the Paris Masters which is also here they last met in 2018 in a Cilic victory.
MARIN CILIC
- World number 13 Marin Cilic eased past Italy’s Thomas Fabbiano in straight sets to set-up a second-round tie with Grigor Dimitrov.
- The Croat has had a troubling year with a 9-7 record and he will hope to emulate his two consecutive quarter-finals at Roland-Garros in the last two years.
- Cilic has a healthy 80% win rate against Dimitrov having won four of their five meetings with all of these matches coming on hard courts.
THE PREDICTION
This second-round match-up should prove to be a belter with Marin Cilic’s service game and Grigor Dimitrov’s skill in returning coming to the fore. Both players have reached a career-high third in the world and have seen better days, but at 30 and 28 respectively Cilic and Dimitrov have plenty to play for. The Bulgarian has a five-set first-round match to contend with in his legs, but at this stage of the competition that can arguably be more help than hindrance. History, however, favours the Croat, who has the ability to wear down the best and make it to the third round.
