Chennai Open: Winning first 2 matches is priority for Marin Cilic

Chennai: Two-time champion and world number 15 Marin Cilic is not looking beyond his first match of the new season as he prepares for the Chennai Open, where he won consecutive titles in 2010 and 2011.

The third seeded lanky Cilic, who had to skip the 2012 event due to an injury and forced a long lay off, has been given a bye in the first round.

Cilic is not thinking yet about his third title in Chennai.

A quarter-finalist at the 2012 Australian Open, Cilic had a good run in the second half of 2012.

"I do not know who I will be playing in the second round. That will be the first match for me in the new season. I had played well in the past at Chennai Open and I am hoping to start the new season in a good way," Cilic said after the draw ceremony.

"My first priority is that I have to begin the first couple of matches well. By looking at the draw, it's quite difficult to look the season far ahead...the 28-player main draw can be very tricky," he said, adding, his aim was to win the first match that would give him enough confidence for the rest of the tournament.

A quarter-finalist at the 2012 Australian Open, Cilic had a good run in the second half of 2012.

"That (good run in the second half of 2012) will give me the headway for the new season," he said, adding, he was happy that the first seven to 10 matches after injury helped him to get back his form.

During the off season, Cilic said he worked on his stamina that would help him to come closer to the top four players, who were a cut above the rest.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)