World No.777 Marin Cilic breaks this long standing ATP record as he wins Hangzhou Open defeating home favourite Zhang Zhizhen

World No.777 Marin Cilic makes history by becoming lowest ranked champion in the ATP after beating Zhang Zhizhen to claim the Hangzhou Open.

World No.777 Marin Cilic breaks this long standing ATP record as he wins Hangzhou Open defeating home favourite Zhang Zhizhen

Marin Cilic (via Tennis Gazette)

Marin Cilic made history on Tuesday (September 24) after beating Chinese star Zhang Zhizhen to claim the Hangzhou Open. It was the former World No.3’s first tour-level title of his career since 2021.

The 35-year-old arrived at Chengdu having last competed in a tour-level event at the Argentina Open in February. The World No.777 was handed a wildcard by the tournament organizers and did well to prove he earned after coming from behind to beat American Zachary Svajda 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 in the first round.

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He continued in like fashion beating Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-1 before going on to beat Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-6(5) in the quarterfinals. It was in the semifinals, that the Croatian caused the tournament’s upset after beating Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6(6) to reach the final.

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In the final against Zhizhen, Cilic rolled back the years with an excellent performance that exceeded his ranking, hitting the ball better than his opponent to earn a 7-6(5), 7-6(5) victory. The World No.777 dropped just two sets to become the lowest-ranked champion in the ATP since 1990. He took the record away from Lleyton Hewitt, who won the Adelaide Open in 1998 while ranked No.550.

Cilic has been ranked down at No.777 since 2023 after playing just three tour-level matches last year. He missed the majority of the 2024 season due to a knee injury. However, the 2014 US Open winner will now move to World No.212 in the rankings following his Hangzhou victory.

Marin Cilic dedicates title to family for their support during the dark period of his career

Marin Cilic confessed that it has been a difficult period in his life after winning the Hangzhou Open. The Croatian last title was at the St. Petersburg Open in 2021. He has suffered several injuries in his career, including a recent knee injury in February after four matches.

Marin Cilic (via BBC)

Cilic now has 21 tour-level titles from 13 different seasons, 16 of them coming on hard court. During the trophy ceremony, the emotional 35-year-old thanked his wife and children for being with him during dark times.

Thank you to my family, my boys, my wife. Everyone who has been with me in this difficult period. 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. It has been a difficult period for me in the past few months.
Marin Cilic said via ATP

On the other hand, Cilic’s opponent, Zhang Zhizhen, failed to become the third Chinese man to win an ATP title. Wu Yibing became the first after winning the Dallas Open last year, while Shang Juncheng claimed the Chengdu title on Tuesday (September 24).