Injury-hit Cilic creates ATP history with comeback title

Former US Open champion Marin Cilic became nan lowest-ranked subordinate to triumph an ATP Tour title pinch an affectional triumph astatine nan Hangzhou Open.

Croatia's Cilic, who started nan tourney astatine 777th successful nan world, has spent nan mostly of nan past 2 seasons retired pinch a knee wounded which required aggregate surgeries.

Given a wildcard to play successful Hangzhou, nan erstwhile world number 3 had not won an ATP Tour lucifer successful 22 months earlier this week.

On Tuesday, conscionable 4 days earlier his 36th birthday, he hit location favourite Zhang Zhizhen 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) to assistance nan title.

"It has been a difficult play for maine - I mislaid my ranking and I didn't play excessively much," said Cilic, who reached a career-high ranking of 3rd successful 2018.

Cilic had nan latest room connected his correct knee successful May, saying it was nan "best option" to thief flooded nan problem and return to court.

He played conscionable 2 matches successful 2023 and different 4 times astatine nan commencement of this season.

The comeback began connected nan Challenger Tour - nan tier beneath nan main ATP events - successful August earlier stepping up a level again complete nan past week successful China.

Cilic deed 18 aces and won 42 of 50 first-service points (84%) against 43rd-ranked Zhang.

In his post-match speech, nan 2014 US Open champion dedicated nan triumph to his family - including his woman and 2 children - for their support during nan debased moments.

"Everybody astatine location has been pinch maine successful this difficult period, moving time by day, believing and pushing me, giving maine spot and spirit," Cilic said.

"I'm happy to make this victory, not conscionable for me, but for them. For everyone location is simply a mini portion of this trophy."

On nan backmost of winning a 21st title of his career, Cilic will emergence 404 places successful nan rankings to 373 adjacent week.