‘Magnificent’ Cilic forces stunning boilover

Veteran Croatian Marin Cilic has pulled off an enormous upset to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open.

The 2014 US Open champion and 2018 Australian Open finalist, who’s world ranking has slipped to 27th, has conquered world No.6 Andrey Rublev 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-3.

Cilic was at his aggressive best and served brilliantly in the Margaret Court Arena clash, tallying 24 aces and winning 85 per cent of his first serves.

The 33-year-old only won a maximum of three games in succession to Rublev’s five, but he dominated all but the third set of the match.

Rublev made a mighty comeback to send the match into a fourth set, recovering from a meltdown directed at his coaches’ box, but the 24-year-old capitulated again.

Cilic sealed the boilover win with an ace down the ‘T’ and was ecstatic in celebration, raising his arms toward the heavens, leaping and fist-pumping, and shouting in triumph.

The victory marks the eighth time Cilic has progressed to the round of 16 at the Australian Open and sets up a match against Canadian world No.9 Felix Auger-Aliassime.

“Well, Marin Cilic, you have been magnificent,” said former Australian tennis professional Josh Eagle on Nine’s Wide World of Sports broadcast.

“Playing one of the matches of his life tonight.