Australian Open 2018: How did Roger Federer defeat Marin Cilic? A set-by-set breakdown

Second Set: Cilic 7-6(5)

Cilic wins the tie-break

Cilic settled down and his level of play improved after the first set bashing. His service games and return games started to trouble Federer, and he was getting into the groove from the baseline too.

Both players had chances to break but were not able to convert. Federer was in trouble in his very first service game with Cilic getting a double break chance but the Swiss served his way out of trouble.

Federer had a break point in the next game but after 5 deuces Cilic eventually held. Cilic saved 2 more break points in the 5th and 9th games, and had a set point in the 10th game as the Swiss hit a double fault. But Federer again saved it with some good serving.

The Swiss took an early lead in the tie-break only for Cilic to storm back and earn 3 set points. He wrapped up the set on his second set point in 1 hour and 24 minutes.

Federer had 3 double faults and 12 unforced errors, while Cilic had 16 unforced errors.