Blast from the past from a resurfaced, future Half of Fame player: Marin Cilic.
The Athletic: Cilic, the 2018 Melbourne finalist who last won two matches at an ATP event more than two years ago, is coming back from knee surgery. He reached the final of the Hangzhou Open in China, beating home favorite Zhang Zhizhen in two tiebreaks to win his first title in three years. In an interview with The Athletic last month, Cilic, who turns 36 on Saturday September 28, said he is targeting a return to Grand Slam tennis at January’s Australian Open. This late September run should give him the confidence that a proper comeback is in reach.
Marin's 2014 US Open title has to be one of the greatest runs in tennis history. Wiki:
"Seeded 14th at the US Open, Čilić defeated Marcos Baghdatis, Illya Marchenko and Kevin Anderson to set up a fourth-round fixture against Gilles Simon, beating the Frenchman for the first time in five matches. He then went on to defeat both world No. 7, Tomas Berdych, and world No. 3, Roger Federer, in straight sets to reach his maiden Grand Slam final. This was also his first-ever victory against Federer in all competitions. Čilić defeated 10th seed Kei Nishikori in straight sets in the final, claiming his first Grand Slam title and becoming the first Croatian to win a men's Grand Slam event since his coach Goran Ivanišević won the 2001 Wimbledon Championships.[33] His triumph in the final was also his 300th professional victory.[34]
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/578...83&userId=1078 7005
Marin's Wiki bio:
The Athletic: Cilic, the 2018 Melbourne finalist who last won two matches at an ATP event more than two years ago, is coming back from knee surgery. He reached the final of the Hangzhou Open in China, beating home favorite Zhang Zhizhen in two tiebreaks to win his first title in three years. In an interview with The Athletic last month, Cilic, who turns 36 on Saturday September 28, said he is targeting a return to Grand Slam tennis at January’s Australian Open. This late September run should give him the confidence that a proper comeback is in reach.
Marin's 2014 US Open title has to be one of the greatest runs in tennis history. Wiki:
"Seeded 14th at the US Open, Čilić defeated Marcos Baghdatis, Illya Marchenko and Kevin Anderson to set up a fourth-round fixture against Gilles Simon, beating the Frenchman for the first time in five matches. He then went on to defeat both world No. 7, Tomas Berdych, and world No. 3, Roger Federer, in straight sets to reach his maiden Grand Slam final. This was also his first-ever victory against Federer in all competitions. Čilić defeated 10th seed Kei Nishikori in straight sets in the final, claiming his first Grand Slam title and becoming the first Croatian to win a men's Grand Slam event since his coach Goran Ivanišević won the 2001 Wimbledon Championships.[33] His triumph in the final was also his 300th professional victory.[34]
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/578...83&userId=1078 7005
Marin's Wiki bio:
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