Croatian Derby in Canada: Čilić Beats Ćorić to Reach Last 16

Marin Cilic (Photo: Twitter)

World No.7 Marin Čilić has beaten fellow countryman Borna Ćorić in the battle of the Croatians at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. 

The Croatian derby at the Masters 1000 event in Canada went the way of the more experienced Čilić 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in just over two hours.

Čilić banged down five aces in the first set and won 100% of points on his first serve to take it 6-3. The second set was a different story, however, with Ćorić this time with five aces and a break of serve to force the match into a decider. 

.@borna_coric evens the score at one set a piece, defeating fellow Croatian Marin Cilic in the second set 6-3.

Onto the third and final set of the night! pic.twitter.com/hIMEUDq1p6

— Rogers Cup (@rogerscup) August 8, 2018

Čilić dominated the third set, breaking the world No.20 twice to run away with it 6-1. Čilić served 12 aces in the match to Ćorić’s 8. 

.@cilic_marin 🇭🇷 was lights out in the third set! 💡

He beats Borna Coric 🇭🇷 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in front of a energetic #RogersCup crowd, and afterwards, took some selfies! pic.twitter.com/hYw5BM0mCf

— Rogers Cup (@rogerscup) August 8, 2018

Čilić is unbeaten against Ćorić in their seven encounters now and he will face the winner of the Diego Schwartzman and Sam Querrey match in the last 16.