Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic admits he's a little underdone heading into next week's season-opening major after battling a knee injury.
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The world No.7 pushed Roger Federer to five sets in last year's title decider but was unable to add to his 2014 US Open crown.
The 30-year-old was back on court for the first time this year at the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament on Tuesday, taking on world No. 6 South African Kevin Anderson, who won a title in India on the weekend.
Cilic posted a 6-3 4-6 15-13 victory, fighting back from 2-7 down in the new final-set tiebreaker that will be used at the Australian Open for the first time next week.
Under the rules, the first player to win at least 10 points by a two-point margin takes the match.
Cilic said he'd pulled out of the Maharashtra Open to give his knee extra time to heal.
He'd also had a big let-down after the emotional high of leading Croatia to the Davis Cup trophy in November.
"The knee felt slightly more stiff than usual, maybe that's from a first match," Cilic said.
"I need a few more days to play and train and hopefully reach 100 per cent.
"I'm feeling a bit rusty, but I'm hitting the ball well and feel in good form."
Australian Associated Press
