Top seed Cilic pulls out of Tata Open Maharashtra due to knee injury

Pune, Jan 5 (PTI) Top seed Marin Cilic on Thursday pulled out of the Tata Open Maharashtra ahead of his quarterfinal match due to a knee injury.

The 2014 US Open winner was scheduled to take on Tallon Griekspoor of Netherlands in the last eight clash. But Cilic sustained the knee injury while warming up earlier in the day.

“Very sorry that I couldn’t come out again today to compete. Today, during the warm up I injured my knee and unfortunately it didn’t get better until I was about to go out on the court,” Cilic said.

“Thanks to the fans for the great support this week, it was fantastic. I’m looking forward to return to India in the future to compete over here again.”

The 34-year-old Croatian is a former champion having won the men’s singles title in 2010.

The world No. 17 singles player had survived a scare in the last-16 where he was stretched to three sets by Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain before winning 6-3 3-6 6-1 on Wednesday.

Dutch Griekspoor moved to the semifinals after he received a walkover.