‘I felt the ball extremely well’

Marin Cilic delivered a stunning upset at the ATP 500 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The 2014 US Open champion defeated world no. 8 Alex de Minaur 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the second round, celebrating his first top-10 victory since the 2022 Roland Garros!

Marin felt the ball well, playing aggressive tennis against one of the fastest players on the Tour and sealing the deal in style. The veteran started the season in Doha and fell to Carlos Alcaraz after a solid display. Cilic used that boost against de Minaur in Dubai. 

The Croat and the Aussie did not play a perfect match, spraying 80 unforced errors. The veteran missed a lot from his backhand. However, he reduced his rival to nine winners and over 30 mistakes. 

Upset alert 🚨@cilic_marin takes out No.2 seed De Minaur 6-2 3-6 6-3 in Dubai 🤯#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/isxXAh0qLN

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 25, 2025

Marin stayed in touch from the baseline and matched Alex’s pace from the baseline. The veteran got broken two times and provided four breaks from as many chances to take the pivotal points and emerge at the top. Making a strong start is always important.

Cilic did that in style against de Minaur and gained confidence. The 36-year-old grabbed a break at love in the first game with a forehand winner and landed an ace in the next one for a 2-0 advantage. Marin clinched a break at love in game three and extended the advantage. 

Marin served for the opener at 5-2 and held at love with an unreturned serve, securing the opener in swift 36 minutes. Playing miles below his best, de Minaur hit a double fault at 1-1 in the second set and experienced another break that sent him closer to the exit door. 

Cilic squandered a 40-15 lead in the fourth game and missed a forehand to bring his rival back to 2-2. The former Major winner played against three break points in the sixth game. He saved them with unreturned serves and closed the game with…