Match Report
Cilic returns to profitable methods in Belgrade, Lajovic triumphs at dwelling
Shapovalov advances at indoor hard-court ATP 250
November 04, 2024
Serbiaopen
Marin Cilic information his sixth tour-level win of 2024 on the Belgrade Open.
By ATP Employees
Marin Cilic returned to profitable methods on the ATP Tour on Monday with an opening-round triumph on the Belgrade Open.
The 36-year-old saved every of the 2 break factors he confronted in a scientific second set, in accordance with Infosys ATP Stats, en path to a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory over Alexandre Muller. It was Cilic’s first tour-level win of 2024, exterior of his run to the title in Hangzhou in September.
“I felt good, however whenever you haven’t performed for some time it’s [important] to search out that depth,” mentioned Cilic, the previous No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings. “I wanted to search out that stability in the present day, and it took me some time to get used to the situations and the balls.
“After half-hour, I began to really feel nice on the court docket, hitting, transferring, serving. From there till the top of the match was incredible, I felt very nice on the court docket.”
After powering previous Muller, the World No. 68, and snapping his four-match shedding streak, Cilic will face fourth seed Jiri Lehecka within the second spherical.
Elsewhere, Dusan Lajovic recorded his first tour-level win since reaching the quarter-finals in Umag in July. The 34-year-old, who has been recovering from an damage sustained on the Davis Cup, surged to a 6-0, 7-6(3) win to upset ninth seed Mariano Navone.
“I didn’t anticipate this type of first set,” mentioned Lajovic. “I didn’t suppose I used to be going to play till the top of the season. I’m not 100% but, however I’m ok to compete. I’m getting my groove again so I’m joyful to win the match.”
Within the second spherical of his dwelling event, the Serbian will tackle Fabian Marozsan, who got here from behind to defeat #NextGenATP star Shang Juncheng on Sunday.
In a battle of two qualifiers, Denis Shapovalov rallied to maneuver previous Marton Fucsovics 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-1. After levelling the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head collection at 2-2, the previous World No. 10 has arrange a second-round conflict towards fifth seed Nuno Borges.
