Cilic admits Federer Roland Garros defeat was a blessing: "It gave me more time to prepare for the grass"

Marin Cilic will face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the MercedesCup in Stuttgart as the grass season has began well for the former World No.3.

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Cilic saw off Jurij Rodionov with the Austrian having to retire due to injury at 6-3, 1-0 down.

Last time he was seen before that was at Roland Garros where he lost out to Roger Federer but instead of lamenting that loss, he saw it as a blessing.

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“I am feeling really good and very excited to be in the final after quite a period that I didn’t reach a final," said Cilic,

"I think this was a very positive week, I have played good tennis, served really well. Considering it is a shorter season, with one week less, for me, it was great to play this week. Losing in Paris to Roger Federer gave me more time to prepare for the grass."

It is also a tournament which has produced a good environment for Cilic who has his family with him which has been conducive to performing well.

"I haven’t enjoyed being at a tournament this much in a long period of time, because it is the first time my son, wife and I are together at one tournament," he added.

"The set up in Stuttgart is really nice, there is a lot of grass and open space around the hotel for my son to play and it is so much fun having them around"