By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Picture credit score: Zhe Ji/Getty
Marin Cilic celebrated an early birthday blast successful his twenty first profession title in China.
In a high-quality remaining, Cilic cracked 18 aces edging China’s Zhang Zhizhen 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in at the moment’s Hangzhou Open remaining.
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There have been no service breaks within the remaining.
Former US Open champion Cilic, who celebrates his thirty sixth birthday on Saturday, captured his first ATP title for the reason that 2021 St. Petersburg crown. Cilic improved to 21-16 in profession finals.
“I don’t suppose I did in any side higher,” Cilic mentioned. “First tiebreak was 7-5 and the second tiebreak was additionally 7-5. So shut.
“Each of us served extremely effectively at the moment. Not too many rallies at the moment. It might probably occur like this. Clearly, it’s a quick court docket, quick tennis. Just a bit bit luckier at the moment.”
Into the historical past books 📖@cilic_marin turns into the bottom ranked ATP Tour winner in historical past beginning the #HangzhouOpen ranked No.777! pic.twitter.com/uHQZKVrJCq
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 24, 2024
It is a historic win for Cilic, who began this week ranked No. 777 changing into the lowest-ranked ATP champion in historical past.
The victory vaults Cilic all the way in which as much as No. 373 within the dwell rankings.
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