Marin Cilic held off Gilles Simon this time, winning their U.S. Open fourth-round match 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The Frenchman had come from behind for a five-set victory at the Australian Open to improve to 4-0 against Cilic. But on a hot and humid Tuesday at Flushing Meadows, the 14th-seeded Croat saved a break point in the first game of the final set, then broke Simon at 4-3 and served out the match.
The 26th-seeded Simon was trying to reach his first major quarterfinal since 2009.
Coached by countryman Goran Ivanisevic, Cilic made his second straight major quarterfinal. He was up two sets to one on eventual champ Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon before losing in five.
Cilic had 23 aces, 70 winners and 76 unforced errors Tuesday.
