Veteran Cilic hammers 2nd seed de Minaur

Former US Open champion Marin Cilic earned his first victory at the ATP Dubai event since 2010, with the Croat stunning second seed Alex de Minaur 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Tuesday.

The  world No. 187 who missed much of last season with knee problems, was playing only his second match of the season as his comeback takes shape.

It was the first defeat of a top 10 opponent for Cilic since Roland Garros three years ago.

Cilic won the US Open in 2014 and is playing Dubai for the first time in three years; he suffered first-round losses in his last three appearances dating to 2019.

ATP No. 8 de Minaur was out-of sorts in his opener, played on a day of brisk wind in the desert.

The Aussie lost his first two serves of the match and never really recovered form that slow start.

He managed to level in the second but was unable to recover after dropping serve to trail 4-2 in the third from a double-fault.

Cilic served out the win on his first chance after more than two hours. 

“It was a great fight from me,” the 36-year-old said. “Winning the first four games was helpful to get a feel for the courts.

“It was a little gusty and I know how dangerous Alex can be, he’s a real retriever.

“I had to stay patient but aggressive. In the second he didnt’ give up. In the third set I was able to keep my level to the end of the match.”

Cilic was playing only his second match of the season after losing last week to Carlos Alcaraz in the Doha first round.

“This was a great effort from me. It’s a sign I’m playing really well, it’s a matter of matches for me. Hopefully I can keep this form going.”

Cilic now plays for the quarter-finals against another Australian in Alexei Popyrin.