Marin Čilić wins his 20th ATP title
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Marin Čilić (Photo: Mario Ćužić/HTS)
ZAGREB, 31 October 2021 – Croatian Marin Čilić has won his 20th ATP title on Sunday after winning the St. Petersburg Open.
The former world number three beat American Taylor Fritz in the final today 7:6, 4:6, 6:4 to win his second tour-level title of the season after victory in Stuttgart.
Čilić took the opening set in a tiebreak, before the American levelled it up after breaking once in the second set. Fritz was first to break in the final set but Čilić broke straight back before breaking again to take the deciding set and the title.
Čilić has been serving strongly all week and again in the final he could rely on his serve as he banged down 12 aces.
It was back-to-back finals for the Croatian, who reached the final of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow last week.
“Russia is my second home. I think this an invitation for me to come every single year. I always enjoy playing here,” he said after his semi-final win.
The 33-year-old Croatian was impressive all week, beating seeds Karen Khachanov and Roberto Bautista Agut. He has fond memories of St. Petersburg, having won the title there at the ATP 250 event in 2011.
