Marin Cilic delivered a stunning upset at the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The 2014 US Open championdefeatedworld no. 8 Alex de Minaur 6-2, 3-6, 6-3in the second round, celebrating his first top-10 victory since the 2022 Roland Garros!
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Marin felt the ball well, playing aggressive tennis against one of the fastest players on the Tour and sealing the deal in style. The veteran started the season in Doha and fell to Carlos Alcaraz after a solid display. Cilic used that boost against de Minaur in Dubai.
The Croat and the Aussie did not play a perfect match, spraying 80 unforced errors. The veteran missed a lot from his backhand. However,he reduced his rival to nine winners and over 30 mistakes.
Marin stayed in touch from the baseline and matched Alex's pace from the baseline. The veteran got broken two times and provided four breaks from as many chances to take the pivotal points and emerge at the top. Making a strong start is always important.
Cilic did that in style against de Minaur and gained confidence. The 36-year-old grabbed a break at love in the first game with a forehand winner and landed an ace in the next one for a 2-0 advantage. Marin clinched a break at love in game three and extended the advantage.
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Marin served for the opener at 5-2 and held at love with an unreturned serve, securing the opener in swift 36 minutes. Playing miles below his best, de Minaur hit a double fault at 1-1 in the second set and experienced another break that sent him closer to the exit door.
Cilic squandered a 40-15 lead in the fourth game and missed a forehand to bring his rival back to 2-2. The former Major winner played against three break points in the sixth game. He saved them with unreturned serves and closed the game with another for 3-3.
World no. 8 kept his composure and made another push on the return at 4-3. Cilic played a loose forehand drive-volley and suffered a break. Alex served for the set in game nine and closed it with a service winner, forcing a decider after an hour and 24 minutes.
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De Minaur had a chance to grab an early break in the final set and gain confidence. However, he missed a return and an opportunity to move in front. Marin served better in games three and five and stepped in on the return at 3-2.
The Aussie missed a game point and hit a costly double fault to lose serve and fall 4-2 behind. Alex earned a chance on the return in the seventh game and squandered it with a waywardbackhand. Marin welcomed the rival's forehand error and opened a 5-2 gap.
The Croat served for the win at 5-3 and started it with a volley winner. He created a match point after an extended exchange and seized it with a winner at the net, moving over the top and earning his first top-10 win in nearly 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.
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I had to stay patient but aggressive. I kept that great level throughout the match, which makes me pleased," Marin Cilic said.
