Cilic Dominates Goffin for the Second Time in Two Days and Advances to the Round of 16 in Basel

For the second time in the tournament, Marin Cilić defeated David Goffin at the Basel tournament.

A very rare scenario unfolded at the Basel tournament. David Goffin and Marin Cilić faced each other in the first round of the main draw on October 21, just two days after their match in the final round of the qualifying stage.

The Croatian had managed to get the better of the Belgian (6-1, 7-6 in 1h41) to enter the main draw. Goffin, ranked 104th in the world, was later given a lucky loser spot but learned he would have to play against Cilić again.

For their first encounter in an ATP Tour main draw since 2021, and their eleventh overall (with five wins each), Cilić once again managed to dominate Goffin, this time after a tighter match (7-6, 7-5 in 1h48).

In both matches, Goffin did not break his opponent’s serve even once. After missing five break point opportunities in the qualifying rounds, this time he did not have a single chance to break the Croatian’s serve.

Cilić, 37 years old and now ranked 89th in the world, advances to the round of 16 where he will face a Canadian player, either Félix Auger-Aliassime or Gabriel Diallo. As for Goffin, he suffers his third defeat in his last four matches.

After his first-round loss to Francisco Comesaña in Brussels last week, the 34-year-old Belgian had defeated… Comesaña in the first round of the qualifying stage in Basel.