Marin Cilic Makes history, clinch 2 1st career title in Hangzhou

Marin Cilic made history by becoming the lowest-ranked ATP title winner ever after a sensational run in Hangzhou which saw him clinch the title on Tuesday.

Marin Cilic won his 21st career ATP title in the 2024 Hangzhou Open, defeating local favorite, Zhizhen Zhang just a few weeks after making his tennis comeback.

The 35-year-old US Open champion and Croatian Marin Cilic scripted ATP history on Tuesday, becoming the lowest-ranked player ever to win a tour title.

Marin Cilic was unstoppable at the 2024 Hangzhou Open, winning the 21st singles title in his career by defeating Zhang Zhizhen 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in the championship match.

Cilic’s lengthy injury layoff from the tour left him ranked World No. 777 going into the competition. Just one month after undergoing knee surgery, he participated in a few Challenger tournaments before using a wildcard to rejoin the ATP Tour in Hangzhou.

Cilic defeated Zachary Svajda in his opening round, and in the second, he triumphed against Yoshihito Nishioka. He then defeated Yasutaka Uchiyama to advance to the semifinals, where he defeated Brandon Nakashima, the fourth seed, to secure a matchup with the winner.

Marin Cilic will play at the ATP 500 Japan Open after winning the title at the Hangzhou Open. He is paired with Kei Nishikori in his opening match, which will reprise their 2014 US Open final, in which Cilic triumphed to claim his first and only Grand Slam championship to date.