Marin Cilic knocked out of Australian Open by Roberto Bautista Agut
Reigning finalist Marin Cilic is out of the Australian Open, losing an epic fourth-round clash to Spanish marathon man Roberto Bautista Agut.
World No.22 Bautista Agut needed three hours and 58 minutes on Sunday night to put away the sixth-seeded Croatian, prevailing 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-4.
Cilic, who lost last year's final to Roger Federer, fired 17 aces but was unable to stop Bautista Agut advancing to the quarter-finals of a major for the first time.
The 2014 US Open champion reeled off 65 winners but also made 73 unforced errors - almost double that of his opponent.
It is Bautista Agut's third five-set victory for the tournament, continuing a hugely impressive run that has also included victories over an injury-hobbled Andy Murray, Australia's John Millman and 10th seed Karen Khachanov.
The 30-year-old had lost in the fourth round of a grand slam in each of his nine attempts, including three at Melbourne Park.
"I'm in the quarter-finals and that's the most important thing," he said.
"I did a great job this pre-season (and) working a lot during a lot of years."
