In a thrilling display of tennis prowess, Marin Cilic clinched a long-awaited victory against top-10 player, Alex de Minaur, at the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. This marks the first time since the 2022 Roland Garros that the 2014 US Open champion has triumphed over a top-10 player, a feat that has reignited his formidable presence in the tennis world.
Cilic’s performance against de Minaur was nothing short of aggressive and calculated. His ability to maintain control and precision, even against one of the Tour’s fastest players, effectively sealed his triumphant 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 second-round victory. This win follows his commendable performance at the start of the season in Doha, where he showcased his skills against Carlos Alcaraz.
Despite the match not being without its flaws – both players contributing to a total of 80 unforced errors – Cilic managed to assert his dominance. The veteran player relentlessly challenged de Minaur, reducing his opponent to just nine winners and inducing over 30 errors.
Cilic’s strategic play from the baseline was instrumental to his victory. Matching Alex’s pace, he skillfully broke his opponent twice and used every opportunity to take the pivotal points. The 36-year-old tennis star’s strong start, marked by a break at love in the first game, set the tone for the rest of the match and boosted his confidence.
Cilic’s dominance continued as he served for the opener at 5-2 and held at love with an unreturned serve. This allowed him to swiftly secure the opener in just 36 minutes. The second set saw de Minaur struggling with a double fault at 1-1 and another break pushing him closer to defeat.
The match took a turn when Cilic missed a forehand at 2-2, giving de Minaur an opportunity to gain some ground. This minor setback, however, didn’t deter the determined Croat. He survived three break points in the sixth game with unreturned serves, maintaining the score at 3-3.
Despite de Minaur’s attempts to regain control, Cilic stayed firm, capitalizing on his opponent’s errors and eventually serving for the win at 5-3. He secured his victory with a volley winner and seized the match point after an extended exchange, marking his first top-10 win in nearly three years.
In reflecting on his performance, Cilic acknowledged the importance of maintaining patience and aggression throughout the match. He said, “I made a great start. I won the opening three games and learned about the court and conditions… 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.”
Cilic’s victory in Dubai is a testament to his enduring talent and resilience, offering a thrilling preview of what to expect from the seasoned player in future tournaments.
