Marin Cilic is back to the Challenger winning circuit after nearly 18 years! The 36-year-old Croat conquered the Giron Challenger on clay, lifting his third Challenger title and the first since May 2007! Thus, the former Major champion secured a notable record.
Cilic's nearly 18-year span between two Challenger titles surpassed Andy Murray's record. The Briton conquered Aptos in 2005 and lifted his next trophy inAix-en-Provence 17 years and eight months later. Marin is also the second oldest Croatian with the Challenger title after Ivo Karlovic.
Marin played well in Girona. He prevailed against world no. 90 Marton Fucsovics in the second round and dropped one set in five encounters to lift a trophy in style. The 21-year-old Dane Elmer Moller stood on the other side of the net in the title clash.
The veteran scored a 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and 43 minutes, lifting his third Challenger trophy and leaving the young gun on a 1-4 score in the Challenger finals. Marinserved at 54% and drew the most from that after defending eight break points, seven in the opening set.
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Marin claimed 40% of the return points and provided two breaks from four opportunities, stealing the rival's serve once in each set to emerge at the top. They served well in the opening five games, with Cilic firing a service winner for a hold at love in the fifth.
Moller wasted two game points in game six and missed a forehand on a break point to experience a break and fall 4-2 behind. Marin faced the ultimate challenge in the seventh game when he faced six break points! The veteran denied them and held for 5-2.
Elmer served to stay in the set in game eight and faced a set point. He saved it with a service winner and held to extend the battle. Cilic served for the opener at 5-3 and wasted three game points. The Croat netted a routine forehand and offered the Dane a break chance.
The 36-year-old denied it with an unreturned serve and seized the fifth set point with a smash winner for 6-3 in 54 minutes. Marin provided four comfortable hold in the second set and grabbed a break that sent him in front.
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The veteran held after a deuce in the fourth game and made a push on the return in the next one. Moller hit a costly double fault on a break point, experiencing a break and falling 3-2 behind. Cilic cemented the break with a service winner in game six.
He held for 5-3 and generated a match point on the return in the next one after Elmer's backhand error. The young gun saved it with a forced error and held for more drama. Marin served for his firsttitle at this levelin nearly 18 years at 5-4.
The Croat hit a wayward second serve and faced the only break point of the set! Cilic denied it with a powerful serve and landed another for a match point. Marin seized it with a forehand crosscourt winner, sealing the deal in style and lifting a trophy.
