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HAAS READY TO TAKE ON THE BEST

by Adrian Curtis, PA Sport , PA Newswire: Sport News


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Tommy Haas believes he has the ability to trouble Wimbledon's top seeds after his epic victory over Croatian Marin Cilic.

Haas triumphed 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7 (7/3) 10-8 in a five-set thriller to set up a fourth-round clash with Russian Igor Andreev.

Haas held off a determined fightback from Cilic before bad light interrupted play last night.

A packed crowd had been treated to a four-hour contest of classic Tennis that swung one way and then the other before play was halted with the score level at 6-6 in the deciding set.

When the match re-started this afternoon, the German finished off Cilic 10-8 to claim the scalp of the number 11 seed.

Now Haas insists his game will pose problems for the best of the rest in the tournament.

``I believe in my game,'' said Haas. ``When I'm feeling healthy and I feel fit, I have a very good game to beat a lot of players and to give the top players trouble.

``While I still feel that, I will continue to play the game and enjoy it as well.''

There was much to enjoy about his game during a marathon contest with Cilic.

The Croatian raced into a 3-0 lead and looked in complete control.

But Haas, ranked 24, produced an amazing fightback to take the opening set 7-5.

The German won the second set by the same scoreline but he had not banked on the will and determination of the number 11 seed.

The Croatian ripped into Haas in the third set to triumph 6-1 and then survived two match points in the fourth.

Cilic went on to save the match by taking the fourth set on a tie-break and Haas looked a beaten man as his opponent broke serve and led 3-0 in the final set.

But against all the odds once again, just as in the opening set, Haas somehow found the inner strength to launch another comeback.

When the match resumed, Haas set the seal on a terrific performance against the highly-rated Croatian.

``My body is feeling a little bit tired,'' said Haas. ``It was a long match, a tough battle yesterday with so many ups and downs. Mentally, it drains you for sure.

``There wasn't much time to relax. We were both probably a little stiff from last night and worried about who was going to get a better start.

``There are so many thoughts going through your head all the time. When I got the break, I was just trying to focus on holding serve.

``Next thing, he had break point again so it was like a dramatic match.''

Gallant loser Cilic admitted Haas probably dealt with the resumption better than he did.

``I was feeling well before the match but when I stepped inside, when we started to play points, I was a little bit nervous,'' said Cilic.

``I think he dealt with it a little bit better and got an edge in the end. After coming back from two sets to love it is a little bit disappointing that I lost.''

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