Marin Cilic Wins ATP Title at Hangzhou Open

Marin Cilic, the former world number four, made history by becoming the lowest-ranked player ever to win an ATP tournament, claiming the title at the Hangzhou Open after entering the event ranked 777th. The Croatian defeated Zhang Zhizhen in a closely contested final, winning both sets in tie-breaks with scores of 7-6(5), 7-6(5). This victory marks Cilic's first tour-level title since 2021, following a challenging period that included two surgeries and a 20-month absence from professional play. His triumph propelled him up the ATP rankings from 777th to 212th, showcasing a remarkable comeback. Cilic expressed his disbelief at winning after such a long hiatus, emphasizing the luck he had during the match. He is set to compete next at the ATP 500 Japan Open against Kei Nishikori, a rematch of their 2014 US Open final.