Match report
Cilic turns into lowest-ranked champion in ATP Tour historical past, triumphs in Hangzhou
Croatian takes twenty first title
September 24, 2024
Getty Photos
Marin Cilic in motion in Hangzhou.
By Sam Jacot
Marin Cilic is as soon as once more an ATP Tour champion. The Croatian defeated Chinese language star Zhang Zhizhen 7-6(5), 7-6(5) on Tuesday on the Hangzhou Open to assert his first tour-level title since 2021.
The 35-year-old wildcard entered his first tour-level occasion since Buenos Aires in February, arriving in Chengdu at No. 777 within the PIF ATP rankings. Nonetheless, Cilic seemed sharp throughout his run on the ATP 250, dropping simply two units to develop into the lowest-ranked champion in ATP Tour historical past (since 1990).
“Because of my household, my boys, my spouse. Everybody who has been with me throughout this troublesome interval,” Cilic mentioned through the trophy presentation. “Who work with me day in and day trip, push me, give me energy and spirit. I’m so comfortable and proud to realize this victory, not just for me but in addition for them.”
Mar-in the winners circle 🤩@marincilicThe comeback is full along with his first title since 2021!@HangzhouOpen | #HangzhouOpen photo.twitter.com/6Sq0UIJ7Qf
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 24, 2024
Within the duo’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly, there was little to separate Cilic from house favourite Zhang, with each gamers changing each break factors they confronted, in line with Infosys ATP Stats. Former world No. 3 Cilic performed extra aggressively within the two tiebreaks, firing 34 winners within the match, in comparison with Zhang’s 26, to assert his first ATP Tour triumph since his 2021 victory in St. Petersburg.
Cilic, who missed a number of months of 2024 with a knee harm, has now gained 21 tour-level crowns and achieved title success in 13 completely different seasons. He’s No. 212 within the PIF ATP Rankings after his sixteenth hard-court title.
“It was a troublesome interval for me the final months. I misplaced my rating and I did not play a lot,” Cilic mentioned. “So a giant because of the organizing staff for giving me the prospect [with the wild card].”
Lowest Ranked Champions in ATP Tour Historical past (since 1990)
Zhang was competing in his first tour-level remaining and was making an attempt to develop into the third Chinese language man to win an ATP Tour title. Wu Yibing gained the trophy final yr in Dallas and Shang Juncheng gained in Chengdu on Tuesday.
“It was a fantastic week for you Zhizhen,” Cilic mentioned, praising Zhang. “I hope you proceed to play nice tennis in China, in Beijing and Shanghai.”