Basel 2024: Marin Cilic vs Alejandro Tabilo preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Swiss Indoors
Match Details
Fixture: (PR) Marin Cilic vs Alejandro Tabilo
Date: October 22, 2024
Tournament: Swiss Indoors 2024
Round: First-round (Round of 32)
Venue: St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard-court (Indoor)
Prize Money: €2,385,100
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Marin Cilic vs Alejandro Tabilo preview
Marin Cilic will take on Alejandro Tabilo in a tantalizing first-round clash at the 2024 Swiss Indoors on Tuesday, October 22.
Cilic has scarcely featured on tour this season following knee surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, competing in just six tournaments and posting a 5-6 record. The Croatian, however, scripted history in Hangzhou by becoming the lowest-ranked champion in ATP Tour history (since 1990), winning the title while ranked No. 777. He triumphed over Zhizhen Zhang in a closely contested final, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), to secure his first tour-level title since 2021.
Cilic last competed at the Shanghai Masters, where he fell in his opening round to French youngster Arthur Cazaux, 6-4, 6-4.
Tabilo has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the ATP Tour, capturing two titles in Auckland and Mallorca, defeating Taro Daniel and Sebastian Ofner, respectively. He also reached the final of his home tournament in Santiago, Chile. Tabilo picked up the biggest win of his career earlier this year when he upset World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round of the Italian Open, en route to a maiden Masters 1000 semifinal appearance. His exploits this year have also seen him break into the top 20 in the men's rankings.
Tabilo's form, however, has dipped in the second half of the season, as he has struggled with consistency and fatigue. His most recent outing was at the Almaty Open, where, as the second seed, he defeated Maximilian Marterer before being upset by rising Canadian star Gabriel Diallo, who went on to reach the final.
Marin Cilic vs Alejandro Tabilo head-to-head
Marin Cilic and Alejandro Tabilo have yet to face off in professional competition so their head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Marin Cilic vs Alejandro Tabilo odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Marin Cilic vs Alejandro Tabilo prediction
Marin Cilic enters the Swiss Indoors in Basel following back-to-back first-round exits in Tokyo and Shanghai and will be eager to turn his season around with a good run this week. Outside of his one title-winning run in Hangzhou, Cilic has struggled to find consistency this year. The indoor hardcourts may, however, provide some encouragement, as he boasts a strong career record of 143-80 on the surface.
Alejandro Tabilo, on the other hand, had an impressive first half of the season, especially on clay and grass, but has struggled since. He has posted a 4-6 record since the North American hardcourt swing, including a disappointing loss in Almaty last week. Hardcourts have been a challenge for him throughout the season, as he has picked up 12 wins in 25 matches. Additionally, he has a poor 1-5 indoor record this year and a 2-7 indoor record over his career.
Despite his recent dip in form, Cilic will enter the match as the favorite, owing to his superior hardcourt record. The fast indoor surface in Basel is also expected to complement his powerful baseline game and strong serve.
While a competitive match can be expected, especially from the workhorse Alejandro Tabilo, Cilic should have the upper hand if he serves well and puts early pressure on Tabilo's serve. Cilic is likely to secure a relatively straightforward win if plays his attacking best.
Pick: Cilic to win in straight sets.