Marin Cilic on his long-awaited top-10 win: 'I felt the ball extraordinarily effectively'

Marin Cilic delivered a shocking upset on the ATP 500 Dubai Obligation Free Tennis Championships. The 2014 US Open champion defeated world no. 8 Alex de Minaur 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 within the second spherical, celebrating his first top-10 victory for the reason that 2022 Roland Garros!

Marin felt the ball effectively, taking part in aggressive tennis in opposition to one of many quickest gamers on the Tour and sealing the deal in model. The veteran began the season in Doha and fell to Carlos Alcaraz after a stable show. Cilic used that increase in opposition to de Minaur in Dubai.

The Croat and the Aussie didn’t play an ideal match, spraying 80 unforced errors. The veteran missed lots from his backhand. Nevertheless, he lowered his rival to 9 winners and over 30 errors.

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Marin stayed in contact from the baseline and matched Alex’s tempo from the baseline. The veteran bought damaged two instances and supplied 4 breaks from as many possibilities to take the pivotal factors and emerge on the prime. Making a robust begin is all the time essential.

Cilic did that in model in opposition to de Minaur and gained confidence. The 36-year-old grabbed a break at love within the first recreation with a forehand winner and landed an ace within the subsequent one for a 2-0 benefit. Marin clinched a break at love in recreation three and prolonged the benefit.

Marin Cilic, Dubai 2025© Stream screenshot

Marin served for the opener at 5-2 and held at love with an unreturned serve, securing the opener in swift 36 minutes. Taking part in miles beneath his greatest, de Minaur hit a double fault at 1-1 within the second set and skilled one other break that despatched him nearer to the exit door.

Cilic squandered a 40-15 lead within the fourth recreation and missed a forehand to convey his rival again to 2-2. The previous Main winner performed in opposition to three break factors within the sixth recreation. He saved them with unreturned serves and closed the sport with one other for 3-3.

World no. 8 saved his composure and made one other push on the return at 4-3. Cilic performed a unfastened forehand drive-volley and suffered a break. Alex served for the set in recreation 9 and closed it with a service winner, forcing a decider after an hour and 24 minutes.

Marin Cilic & Alex de Minaur, Dubai 2025© Stream screenshot

De Minaur had an opportunity to seize an early break within the closing set and acquire confidence. Nevertheless, he missed a return and a possibility to maneuver in entrance. Marin served higher in video games three and 5 and stepped in on the return at 3-2.

The Aussie missed a recreation level and hit a pricey double fault to lose serve and fall 4-2 behind. Alex earned an opportunity on the return within the seventh recreation and squandered it with a wayward backhand. Marin welcomed the rival’s forehand error and opened a 5-2 hole.

The Croat served for the win at 5-3 and began it with a volley winner. He created a match level after an prolonged trade and seized it with a winner on the internet, shifting excessive and incomes his first top-10 win in practically three years.

“I made a great start. I won the opening three games and learned about the court and conditions. It was a little bit gusty, but I was feeling the ball extremely well. I know how dangerous Alex is. He is an incredible runner, reaching the balls no one else can.

I had to stay patient but aggressive. I kept that great level throughout the match, which makes me pleased,” Marin Cilic mentioned.