Cilic becomes lowest-ranked champion in ATP Tour history, triumphs in Hangzhou

  • Posted: Sep 24, 2024

Marin Cilic is an ATP Tour champion once again. The Croatian overcame Chinese star Zhang Zhizhen 7-6(5), 7-6(5) on Tuesday at the Hangzhou Open to clinch his first tour-level title since 2021.

The 35-year-old wild card was competing in his first tour-level event since Buenos Aires in February and arrived in Chengdu at No. 777 in the PIF ATP Rankings. However, Cilic looked sharp throughout his run at the ATP 250, dropping just two sets to become the lowest-ranked champion in the ATP Tour history (since 1990).

“Thank you to my family, my boys, my wife. Everyone who has been with me in this difficult period,” Cilic said during the trophy ceremony. “Working with me day by day, pushing me and giving me strength and spirit. I am so happy and proud to make this victory not only for me but for them too.”

In the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, there was little to separate Cilic and home favourite Zhang, with both players saving both break points they faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. The former World No. 3 Cilic played more aggressively in the two tie-breaks and fired 34 winners in the match compared to 26 from Zhang to triumph on the ATP Tour for the first time since he won St. Petersburg in 2021.

Cilic, who missed several months of 2024 due to a knee injury, has now won 21 tour-level crowns and enjoyed title success in 13 different seasons. He is up to No. 212 in the PIF ATP Rankings following his 16th hard-court title.

“It has been a difficult period for me in the past few months. I lost my ranking and I didn’t play too much,” Cilic said. “So a big thank you to the organising team for giving me the opportunity [with the wild card].”

Lowest-ranked champions in ATP Tour history (since 1990)

Ranking  Player  Event
No. 777 Marin Cilic Hangzhou 2024
No. 550 Lleyton Hewitt Adelaide 1998
No. 355 Pablo Andujar Marrakech 2018 
No. 352 Fernando Gonzalez Orlando 2000
No. 349 Tommy Haas Houston 2004
No. 335 Juan Manuel Cerundolo Cordoba 2021

Zhang was competing in his first tour-level final and was trying to become just the third Chinese man to win an ATP Tour title. Wu Yibing lifted the trophy in Dallas last year and Shang Juncheng won in Chengdu on Tuesday.

“It was a great week for you Zhizhen,” Cilic said, praising Zhang. “I hope you continue to play great tennis in China, in Beijing and Shanghai.”

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