That’s it from me. Do join us tomorrow for coverage of Federer v Chung, when Jacob Steinberg will be back and following proceedings. Thanks for reading/emailing/tweeting etc. Bye!
.@cilic_marin will rise to a new career-high ranking of No.3️⃣ with passage to the final!#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/yRnT3lBVGU
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2018
3️⃣rd Grand Slam final
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2018
1️⃣st #AusOpen final
1️⃣st 🇭🇷 man or woman to do so at Melbourne Park
Congratulations, @cilic_marin! 👏 pic.twitter.com/2LgFLOraXB
And here’s the match report from our man in Melbourne, Kevin Mitchell:
Updated
As for Cilic, a repeat of the 2017 Wimbledon final possibly awaits – if the old hand Roger Federer overcomes the challenge of the young upstart Hyeon Chung in tomorrow’s semi-final. Cilic was reduced to tears on Centre Court during his straight-sets defeat last year as he struggled with injury, so he’ll feel he has a point to prove in Melbourne – if indeed it is Federer he faces. Federer would of course be the favourite but Cilic has beaten the GOAT in the crunch moments of a slam before – having swept past Federer in the semi-finals of the 2014 US Open on his way to the title.
Updated
So Edmund’s surprise and superb Australian Open run comes to an end. But this has still been a coming of age for the 23-year-old. The key is that he now builds on reaching his first grand slam semi-final rather than having a let-up, as Johanna Konta did after reaching the last four at Wimbledon last year. If he does, a place in the top 10 could beckon. He’s going to have to get used to the extra attention on tour and back in Britain; Andy Murray can help him deal with that. Of course Edmund will be sorely disappointed but he does have the welcome distraction of leading Britain in their Davis Cup tie next week against Spain – minus Rafael Nadal – in Marbella.
Breaking: Marin Chilly gets to play Me in the final of the #AusOpen Bad luck Kyle Edmundsons, great run! xx
— Not Roger Federer (@PseudoFed) January 25, 2018
Cilic – who always speaks so well – offers his thoughts:
In that second set, I was up and down in my game. He started to serve quite good and release a few of his forehands. I just stayed mentally focused and tried to play every single point.
In the third game in the third set when I broke him, he let a couple of balls go. With his movement, he was a bit restricted. Obviously that second break was extremely crucial.
He’s playing great tennis and last couple of years, he’s improved a lot. The five-set matches this tournament left some scars on his body. Definitely, he has a bright future ahead of him.
Today was a different intensity than my match with Rafa. I think overall I’m feeling really good. Now I have two days off so it’s going to be a nice one on Sunday.
So what if Cilic faces Hyeon Chung in the final?
He played a few extremely great matches here, a great run. The courts suit him. It’s amazing to watch him and great to see him coming up.
And what if it’s a certain Roger Federer?
Roger is always looking to play extremely aggressive. But I think with my own game, if I’m playing aggressive, I can match him. Obviously it’s difficult if you’re running around and he’s controlling things.
Updated
Cilic beats Edmund 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to reach the final!
Cilic takes the opening point when Edmund overcooks a forehand. 15-0, which turns into 15-all. Given how Cilic likes to bounce the ball a la Djokovic in the crunch moments, he’s being relatively quick here. He doesn’t seem to be feeling the nerves, he’s well on top. He settles matters at the net to bring up 40-15, two match points. A swinging serve out wide and Edmund can’t return it! Cilic holds his arms aloft because he’s the first Croat – male or female – to reach an Australian Open final! Edmund is clearly spent – but he wastes little time in walking off court, allowing Cilic more time to soak in this straightforward straight-sets victory.
Updated
Third set: *Cilic 6-2, 7-6 (4), 5-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund prods a tired backhand well long and it’s 30-40, break point. It’s then Cilic’s turn to misfire over the baseline. Deuce. The Croat follows it up with a meek effort into the net. Advantage Edmund. Cilic sprints into the net having hit deep, and Edmund can’t get that back into play. Deuce. Advantage Edmund. Deuce. There was perhaps a pained cry from Edmund after hitting that serve. Cilic then balloons a backhand so high it probably landed halfway to Sydney. Edmund’s advantage. Deuce No4. Advantage Cilic, his second break point. Edmund’s effort it out and surely it’s endgame for Edmund now. Cilic will serve for a place in the Australian Open final.
Third set: Cilic 6-2, 7-6 (4), 4-2 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Apologies – score issues – do refresh the page if you haven’t in a while. Cilic charges to 40-0 in the blink of an eye, and is soon swatting the balls back at Edmund to serve after holding to love.
Third set: *Cilic 6-2, 7-6 (4), 3-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
The aggression Edmund has on court belies his shyness off it. Woof, a huge forehand gets him to 30-all. At 40-30, a backhand on the run drops just wide. Edmund is almost limping now. He finds enough energy to get to his advantage, but then is down on his haunches after falling back to deuce. It’s Cilic’s advantage for a second break in this set – almost a match point. Cilic skips around the court, is in charge of the point ... but then makes the error! Deuce. Advantage Edmund. And he holds rather fortuitously when his tired effort clips the net before trickling over. He needs all the luck he can get.
Third set: Cilic 6-2, 7-6 (4), 3-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
A rare moment for Edmund to smile as he whips a forehand cross-court winner past Cilic, who’s stranded at the net. Edmund applies more pressure, getting to deuce and then pulling Cilic back to a second deuce. Soon Cilic has advantage again before Edmund batters the sideline to within about a millimetre of its life with a backhand winner. Edmund is hitting out; he doesn’t have the legs to put in the hard yards. A third deuce. But from there Cilic holds to consolidate the break.
Updated
Marin country Cilic taking advantage of nice 👍 guy Eddie movement he struggles getting out of corners from either side
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) January 25, 2018
Third set: *Cilic 6-2, 7-6 (4), 2-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund is serving first in the third set. He’s able to put the scoreboard out of his mind to hold to 15. Andy Murray will retain his British No 1 status if Edmund loses this match, though given that Murray is unlikely to return from injury until the British summer, Edmund would still be poised to overtake the Scot in the rankings. Speaking of whom, this is very different to watching a Murray match, isn’t it? Despite a few run-ins with the umpire, Edmund doesn’t display any of the external angst that Murray does. Where’s the chattering and chuntering? I don’t think he’d be called a drama queen. Cilic replies with a smooth hold of his own – before breaking a weary Edmund to 15. The mountain has become even steeper for the Brit.
Cilic breaks for 2-1 in the third. Looking very much like Edmund's race is run. But what a race.
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) January 25, 2018
Updated
Cilic wins the second-set tie-break 7-4
Cilic makes an error on the first set point but isn’t in the mood to do so on the second. He bludgeons a backhand down the line, lets out a huge roar, and strides back to his chair knowing he’s only a set away from his third grand slam final – having won the US Open in 2014 and reached the Wimbledon final last year. It’s looking bleak for Edmund; he’s never won from two sets down and he doesn’t appear to be in the physical condition to do so today. But there’s a first time for everything, right?
Updated
Second set tie-break: Cilic 6-3 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Some Hawk-Eye drama - they’ll replay the point. Cilic sends down not one but two nerveless overheads for 5-3. And it’s soon 6-3 and three set points for a two-set lead ...
Second set tie-break: *Cilic 4-3 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund has the crowd on their feet as he pulls off an improbable backhand winner from a deep return! There’s nothing to pick between them as they switch sides, but Cilic grabs the first mini-break when, after trading backhands, Cilic opts for a smart change of approach and fires a forehand down the line.
Second set tie-break: Cilic 3-2 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Edmund chops his return long before slicing another backhand beyond the baseline. All the points have gone to the server so far.
Second set tie-break: *Cilic 1-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Two big serves – one from Cilic and one from Edmund – and the opening two points are shared. The pair rally on the second, and Edmund prevails.
Second set: *Cilic 6-2, 6-6 Edmund (*denotes next server)
So are we heading for a tie-break? It looks that way as Edmund ekes out a 30-15 advantage, which turns into 40-15 when Cilic misses his return. Cilic goes to Hawk-Eye to challenge Edmund’s serve. It clipped the line. So 40-15 stands. Thwack, Cilic swats down a forehand from up high and Edmund isn’t getting that back. 40-30. Crack, as Cilic rips Edmund to shreds with another forehand for deuce. But Edmund hauls himself up for advantage and then game. It’s tie-break time!
@KatyMurrells now #KyleEdmund has got his mojo back the crowd need to get behind him with a rallying Yorkshire chant “eh up eh up eh up”
— Lavinia Sienna Rose (@laviniasienna) January 25, 2018
Stats you need: Cilic bidding to be first palindromic #AusOpen champ since Seles 22 years ago.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 23, 2018
Second set: Cilic 6-2, 6-5 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Move on, there’s little to see here. Cilic holds to 15. Back to you, Kyle ...
Second set: *Cilic 6-2, 5-5 Edmund (*denotes next server)
An inauspicious start as Edmund loses the first point. A longer rally plays out on the second, and Cilic blinks first, prodding long after a deep and probing stroke from Edmund. 15-all. Again, Edmund emerges victorious from a baseline duel – 30-15 – but John McEnroe points out on Eurosport that Edmund could do with venturing to the net a bit more. Edmund’s second double fault of the day makes it 30-all. A crunch moment as Edmund reaches for game point and Cilic for set point. Edmund has a little grumble to the umpire about a light on the camera at the back of the court, which is bothering him, but he regroups for 40-30. And he holds when Cilic clatters beyond the baseline.
Updated
Second set: Cilic 6-2, 5-4 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
A rare double fault from Cilic, in fact his first of the match. 0-15. 0-30, after an excellent Edmund forehand. Cilic goes wide on his first serve – he’s not landed a first serve during this game – but Edmund can’t take advantage on the second serve. 15-30. For a moment it looks like it’ll be 15-40, as Cilic’s backhand clips the top of the net and seems set to skid wide ... but it lands in and Edmund rams into the net. 30-all. 40-30, what a difference a first serve makes. Game. Cilic goes into lockdown mode, winning four points on the spin, and Edmund must hold serve to prevent himself from falling two sets down.
Second set: *Cilic 6-2, 4-4 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund’s footwork and body language is so much better than it was a few games ago. Suddenly this is the Edmund of the past few weeks, the Edmund who defeated last year’s US Open runner-up Kevin Anderson in the first round and who downed the world No 3, Grigor Dimitov, in the quarter-finals. He holds to 15. There’s not much giving on serve right now.
Second set: Cilic 6-2, 4-3 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
But whatever Edmund can do – Cilic holds to love himself, showing wonderful variety on serve.
Second set: *Cilic 6-2, 3-3 Edmund (*denotes next server)
That run-in with the umpire may be the best thing that’s happened to Edmund in this semi-final. Fired up, he whizzes through his service game 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. The aces are starting to flow and Rosengren – who must have taken leave of his senses before this match because he’s wearing the same pink ensemble as Edmund – is back on his feet clapping.
Pretty confident Kyle Edmund was not right on that argument, but maybe the argument was what he needed to get going......
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) January 25, 2018
Second set: Cilic 6-2, 3-2 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
An uncharacteristic outburst from Edmund, who’s remonstrating with the umpire when Cilic is awarded the opening point after a Hawk-Eye challenge. “Get the referee, I’m not having it,” the usually mild-mannered Edmund says. “I can’t get the referee,” the umpire replies – but then here the referee is. But Edmund’s protests fall on deaf ears. His beef is that Cilic’s serve was called out as he was hitting the return – which he then missed. But Hawk-Eye showed Cilic’s serve was in and the Croat was given the point rather than playing a let. Anyway after all that, it’s 15-0 to Cilic. An angry Edmund lets rip and it’s 15-all. Backhand winner down the line, 30-15. Edmund is swinging and the crowd are screaming. 30-all. 40-30. Cilic does well to hold.
Second set: *Cilic 6-2, 2-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Rosengren is trying to encourage his charge when Edmund slides 15-30 down. Perhaps it does the trick, because Edmund rallies to 30-30. But then he slips to 30-40, break point. He looks flat, there’s very little intensity. Edmund does fire down an ace for deuce – and then Cilic kindly offers his opponent a bit of help with a lolloping forehand. There haven’t been too many of those today. Advantage Edmund. And he holds. He needed that.
Second set: Cilic 6-2, 2-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Edmund lets rip on the forehand side before crashing down the smash – that will have felt good – but the Brit can’t do any more damage on Cilic’s serve and it’s another comfortable hold. The crowd are rather subdued. They’re with the underdog but he’s only fleetingly giving them something to cheer about. There aren’t any chants of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire!” ringing around Rod Laver as there were during Edmund’s quarter-final victory over Grigor Dimitrov.
Second set: *Cilic 6-2, 1-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Plenty of ooohs and aaaahs on the third point, which Edmund takes with a raking backhand that Cilic can’t get back into play. 40-0. Game. Edmund gets in on the love hold act too. That’ll make him feel a bit better. But we still don’t know what the treatment was for. Edmund must be feeling it physically; of course he’s never been this far at a slam before and he’s played two five-set matches – one in 40C heat – to get here.
Second set: Cilic 6-2, 1-0 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Edmund is back, nearly eight minutes after the last point was played. Will the timeout give him the much-needed boost he needs? It certainly doesn’t straight away. Cilic, looking so determined and focused, holds to love.
@KatyMurrells - Do either of these guys look like they're going to be any trouble to Federer? Not to me. Maybe how he was behaving for the first few games of the first set. And even then, they'd need some luck.
— Vipul Nanda (@null_interest) January 25, 2018
Well Cilic did beat Federer on his way to the US Open title in 2014 – when he finds his form the Croat can be a frightening prospect. But sure, whoever Federer plays in the final – if indeed he makes it there – will be the underdog.
And Edmund – not Cilic – is now off court receiving treatment. It’s unclear what the problem is.
Cilic wins the first set 6-2
No Cilic doesn’t, and it’s Edmund who’s slipping and sliding after the second point. 15-all. 30-15. 30-all. Edmund could do with making a few more first serves here, his percentage is below 60. And he hasn’t quite found his aim with his forehand either - a miscued strike on that side and it’s 30-40, set point. And to rub salt in Edmund’s wounds, Cilic wins it with a breathtaking forehand of his own, taking a fairly straightforward first set in 35 minutes. But this was never going to be easy for Edmund, was it? He’s British after all.
Meanwhile Richard Woods is claiming the joint win:
@KatyMurrells I forgot Henman - so Edmund, Murray, Henman, Rusedski, Taylor, Lloyd for the win
— Richard Woods (@gasheadforever) January 25, 2018
First set: Cilic 5-2 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
There again, perhaps Edmund isn’t dwelling on them. He’s made such improvements in his mental approach over the past few months and seems able to compartmentalise, leaving poor points, games and disappointments behind him. Edmund takes the breath away with one shot early in this game but Cilic appears in control at 40-15. Though the Croat appears in a little bit of pain, and is flexing his right leg. 40-30. Edmund would do well to move Cilic around at the moment. That he does, and it’s deuce. An unreturned first serve gets Cilic to advantage, but there he is bending his leg again. Edmund can’t take advantage and Cilic backs up the break, potentially moving him within a game of taking the first set. Will he call the trainer?
@KatyMurrells Please notice the discovery of a new and remarkable dinosaur: the Kylexis Edmundus. In case you haven't spotted this rare creature yet, see Kyle's shadow in the picture.
— Jan Wagensveld (@jan_wagensveld) January 25, 2018
Updated
First set: *Cilic 4-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund is under a little bit of pressure at 15-30. Cilic then strikes deep to Edmund’s right wing and Edmund call only loop long. 15-40, Cilic’s first break points of the match. Cilic clobbers long with his return and is clearly disgusted with himself. But he gets it right on the second break point and there’s almost a hush around Rod Laver as Cilic breaks. The crowd definitely seem to be on Edmund’s side. But how he must be ruing those missed break points in the opening game.
First set: Cilic 3-2 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. The most straightforward hold of this match so far. And drumroll please. The non-prize for the trivia challenge goes to ... Richard Hudson. The answer: Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski, Roger Taylor and John Lloyd.
Updated
First set: *Cilic 2-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund’s extrovert coach Fredrik Rosengren is leaping out of his seat after the first point. Expect much of that today. Ivan Lendl he isn’t. 15-0. Cilic is able to absorb Edmund’s stinging serve on the fourth point and it’s 30-all. The pair trade backhand after backhand, before Cilic mixes it up with a forehand down the line. The Croat looks to be choking his opponent, but Edmund finds enough air to scramble around the baseline and Cilic makes the error! 40-30. Game. “Hi Katy, I don’t know the answer but I’m going to guess : Edmund, Murray, Henman, Rusedski, John Lloyd, and either Jeremy Bates or Buster Mottram. Surely not Mottram, so I’m probably one short... Looking forward to following the match as I spend the morning on office work,” writes Lizz Poulter.
@KatyMurrells Cilic looked brilliant in patches against Nadal, but Edmund is remarkably steady on-court and I suspect he'll win the crowd as well. Intriguing!
— Austen (@morsesamuel1) January 25, 2018
First set: Cilic 2-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
This match has been billed as a battle of the forehands – coming into this semi-final, Edmund led the tournament for forehand winners on 127, with Cilic in second place on 115 – but Cilic’s backhand isn’t half bad either. He batters a backhand winner down the line for 30-15 and from there goes on to hold. There’s a little bit of confusion at the end of the game when the umpire thinks Edmund has put his arm up to challenge, but it looks like he was just after his towel.
First set: *Cilic 1-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
At 15-all, Edmund is called for a foot fault. He takes his cap off, walks up to the chair and queries it with the umpire. It’s certainly strange to foot fault so early in a match. But he recovers and brings up 30-15. Cilic restores parity at 30-all. But Edmund has a little spring in his step after rattling off the next two points to hold. Meanwhile Shankar Mony emails seemingly while sitting on a fence. “Edmund will win because...the improved game, younger legs, he beat the form player Dimitrov. Cilic will win because...grand slam pedigree, he defeated the world No 1, pretty big game. Remember, you read it here first.”
@KatyMurrells Murray, Henman, Rusedski, Bowden, Perry
— Feroze Hussain (@ferozemj) January 25, 2018
@KatyMurrells Murray. Edmund, Taylor, Rusedski, Lloyd and - er- the other one
— Richard Woods (@gasheadforever) January 25, 2018
Updated
First set: Cilic 1-0 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
So are you ready? Let’s play. Cilic opens his first service game by bouncing the ball no fewer than 27 times. That will be something to watch during the match – because it’s a surefire sign he’s feeling the nerves. He’d need not have bothered with the bouncing because his serve goes long. The Croat lands his second serve, but Edmund takes the point after charging to the net to pick up the short ball. 0-15. 15-all. 15-30, as Cilic clunks a tight-looking forehand into the net. 15-40, two break points. Edmund has come out firing. But Cilic finds two huge serves. Edmund can only frame the first – which probably lands in row Z – and can’t get the second back into play either. Deuce. Advantage Cilic. Deuce. Advantage Cilic. And from 15-40 down, Cilic is on the board first with an uncomfortable hold.
Tik! Tok! Tikity! Tok! The players are warming up, Edmund once again in his pink and black ensemble, Cilic in a more understated white outfit with a splash of turquoise.
While we wait for play to start, some trivia: Edmund is the sixth British man to reach the semi-finals of a grand slam in the Open era. Three of them are easy to remember, right? If you can name all five, I’ll give you a prize. Though said prize may just be the glow of knowing you’re correct.
Tactics time with Tim.
The coin toss. Edmund calls tails. It’s heads. Cilic will serve first.
Here comes Edmund, weaving and winding his way through to corridors of the Rod Laver Arena. He starts as he means to go on by arriving first on to court. Cilic closely follows. I’d say Edmund slightly edged the applause there.
The head-to-head. Edmund lost his only previous match against Cilic, the Croat winning in straight sets in Shanghai last year, but the British No 2 is a different proposition three months on. Since adding the Swede Fredrik Rosengren to his coaching team, Edmund – who already had one of the most fearsome forehands in the game – has improved his serve, fitness and mental approach.
In many ways, Edmund and Cilic are a mirror image of each other. Their games are based around their big serves and forehands – though expect Cilic to come to the net more. Both are likeable, down to earth characters. Cilic may be a bit louder on court than Edmund, but you’re unlikely to see him chucking his racket around. They both do a pretty good job of keeping their emotions in check – but Cilic can be brittle in big moments.
Updated
A good omen for Britain. The last player from Edmund’s home town of Beverley to make an impact in the tennis world was the amateur Dr John Gregory. In 1929, he travelled to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open – and won the whole thing.
Another good omen for Britain. Andy Murray played Cilic in the 2010 Australian Open semi-finals and beat him – having faced Kevin Anderson in the first round, the opponent Edmund also opened against this tournament.
A bad omen for Britain. Murray then lost the 2010 final to Roger Federer. Bah!
Edmund says: “There’s no reason why I can’t go out there and put a good level on the court, enjoy the occasion again. I’ll just try to take it in my stride as best as I can. I am loving it right now, the way I’m playing. I’m 23 years old, my first grand slam semi-final.
“You dream of lots of things when you’re young. It’s all a dream. But, until it becomes a reality, then it really hits you. You dream of playing in grand slams, first of all. I’ve done that. You dream of hitting with the top guys. I remember being a practice partner for Andy and Rafa and Roger, to warm then up. Then suddenly you’re playing these guys. At first it’s a bit surreal. Then you take it in your stride. You want to beat them.
“A dream was to play for my country. I’ve done that. But again, of course the big one is to be in a grand slam final. And the dream is to win.”
Cilic says: “For me, it’s another good opportunity. Obviously on paper it’s probably easier to play him than Rafa. But he still deserves to be here.
“A big focus is to continue with my own game. I cannot influence him much across the net but I’m going to try to take care of my things on my part of the court.”
And all of this after an enthralling women’s semi-final, in which the world No 1, Simona Halep – who has sometimes snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in grand slam matches – showed her mettle in a 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 win over the 2016 champion, Angelique Kerber, saving two match points in the process. For all the talk of inconsistency in the women’s game, it’ll be a final between the top two players in the world, as Halep faces the No2, Caroline Wozniacki, who ended the run of the unseeded Belgian Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-6 (2).
Preamble
Whatever happens to Kyle Edmund from here on in at the Australian Open, you’ve got to admire his sense of timing.
The tournament started with a dark cloud hanging over British tennis – as an absent Andy Murray resorted to hip surgery in a bid to save his career – but nears its end with an optimism that even when Murray’s playing days are over, the outlook is bright on the men’s front in this country.
Perhaps it’s too soon to call this a definitive changing of the guard. While the 23-year-old Edmund will replace Murray as the British No 1 if he wins today, few observers would discount the latter from wresting back superiority on his planned return later this year. Hip surgery is notoriously difficult to recover from in tennis but just as stubborn is Murray’s determination to succeed. Nonetheless, this does feel like a significant moment, much like when Murray burst on to the scene in the twilight of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski’s careers.
Edmund, the Johannesburg-born, Yorkshire-raised and Bahamas-residing world No49, had been to the fourth round of a grand slam only once before this fortnight. But here he is reaching for the final having taken out the 2017 US Open finalist Kevin Anderson in the first round, survived 40C heat to win in five sets in round three and played the match of his life against the world No 3, Grigor Dimitrov, in the quarter-finals.
Edmund – and nearly everyone else – would have expected he’d be playing Rafael Nadal today. But Marin Cilic is still a formidable opponent and the overwhelming favourite. The Croatian world No 6 is a grand slam champion, having surged to the 2014 US Open title, and there were signs of that form against Nadal on Tuesday before the suffering Spaniard retired injured. This is the second time Cilic has made the last four in Melbourne – in 2010 he was stopped by a certain Andy Murray.
Reminders of Murray are everywhere for Edmund. But this is the younger Briton’s chance to step out of his celebrated compatriot’s shadow.
The players will be on court at around: 8.30am GMT/7.30pm in Melbourne.
Do remember you can get in touch with any predictions or predilections: via email or Twitter.
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