Cilic Ends 20-Month Drought with Thrilling Comeback Victory
Marin Cilic Secures First Tour Win in 1 Year and 8 Months
Marin Cilic
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The first round of the men’s singles at the Hangzhou Open (China/Hangzhou, hard, ATP250) was held on the 18th, and world ranking 777th, who participated as a wild card (recommended by the organizers), M. Cilic (Croatia) came from behind to defeat Z. Swejda (United States), ranked 135th, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0, and advanced to the first round.
Cilic’s First Tour Victory in a Long Time
Cilic, a former world No. 3, has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and underwent a second knee operation in May of this year. He returned to official competition for the first time in about six months at the Rafa Nadal Open (Spain/Manacor, hard, ATP Challenger) last month.
In this match, Cilic hit 14 service aces and won 88% of points when his first serve was in. He was unstable in the stroke battle and allowed four breaks, but he broke seven times in the return game and won in one hour and 59 minutes.
A Long-Awaited Victory
It’s been about a year and eight months since the 35-year-old Cilic won a tour victory at the Tata Open Maharashtra (Pune, India, hard, ATP250) in January last year. His post-match comments are posted on the ATP official website of the Association of Tennis Professionals.
“It means a lot, both for me and for the team that has been with me through this long, tedious and difficult time. Two surgeries, a lot of rehab and training. I’m very happy to be back on court, healthy and back to 100 percent physically.”
Next Match
In the second round, he will face either eighth seed Yoshihito Nishioka or world No. 105 M. Marterer (Germany).
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