Marin Cilic wins Hangzhou Open 2024; becomes lowest ranked player to secure ATP tour title

Marin Cilic only dropped two sets on his way to victory in Hangzhou Open 2024.

Marin Cilic has made a remarkable comeback to the ATP tour. He captured the Hangzhou Open 2024 to become the lowest ranked player to win a title on the ATP tour. Cilic was ranked world No #777 at the start of the Hangzhou Open 2024. The Croatian defeated Zhang Zhizhen of China 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in the final.

Cilic had been experiencing tough defeats on the tour as his rankings slumped to four digits three weeks ago. But his form over the past week will see his rankings jump to over 500 spots which has confirmed his comeback to the tour.

Into the history books 📖@cilic_marin becomes the lowest ranked ATP Tour winner in history starting the #HangzhouOpen ranked No.777! pic.twitter.com/uHQZKVrJCq

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 24, 2024

The 35-year-old also won his last title almost three years. He had won his 20th career title by securing the St. Petersburg Open in 2021, October. With an inspiring run in Hangzhou Open 2024, Cilic has become the 40th player on the ATP tour to win more than 20 titles. He is now one title away from equalling Goran Ivanisevic’s record of most titles won by a Croatian player on the ATP tour.

Ivanisevic won 22 titles throughout his career and Cilic could surpass the serving giant if he continues his form this season.

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Marin Cilic’s performance in Hangzhou Open 2024

Cilic received a wildcard entry to feature in Hangzhou Open 2024. The hardcourts at Hangzhou next witnessed the veteran recording five wins while spending nine and half hours on the court. He hit 172 winners on his way to winning the title and blasted at least 30 winners in each of his encounters in Hangzhou.

The former world No #3 had a tough battle in the quarterfinals against Japan’s Yasutaka Uchiyama. The match lasted for two hours and 45 minutes as the deciding set saw Uchiyama taking a 4-1 lead in the tie-breaker. Cilic then made a brave recovery by winning the next six points while only conceding a single point to win the marathon battle.

 The Hangzhou Open 2024 also saw Cilic record his first ATP match win since January 2023. He had defeated Roberto Carballes Baena in the fourth round of Pune Open 2023, since then Cilic was winless on the ATP tour until arriving at Hangzhou to script history.

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