By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Nu | Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Picture Credit score: Zhe Ji/Getty
Marin Cilic celebrated an early birthday bash and received his twenty first title in China.
In a high-level remaining, Cilic hit 18 aces to beat China’s Zhang Zhizhen 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in in the present day’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, claimed his first ATP title for the reason that 2021 St. Petersburg crown. Cilic improved to 21-16 in profession finals.
“I do not assume I did higher in any approach,” Cilic mentioned. “The primary tiebreak was 7-5 and the second tiebreak was additionally 7-5. So shut.
“We each served extremely properly in the present day. Not too many rallies in the present day. That is the way it can occur. It is clearly a quick court docket, quick tennis. Only a bit extra luck in the present day.”
Within the historical past books 📖@cilic_marin turns into the lowest-ranked ATP Tour winner in historical past, beginning with the #HangzhouOpen ranked #777! photo.twitter.com/uHQZKVrJCq
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) September 24, 2024
It’s a historic victory for Cilic, who began this week ranked 777, making him the lowest-ranked ATP champion in historical past.
With this victory, Cilic climbs to 373rd place within the reside rankings.