Cilic Cruises Past De Minaur in Dubai Upset

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Marin Cilic delivered an impressive upset at the ATP 500 on Tuesday by defeating second seed Alex de Minaur in a match that showcased his powerful baseline play. Cilic, the former World No. 3, won the contest 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to secure his first tour-level victory of the 2025 season.

The match, which lasted two hours and 17 minutes, marked Cilic’s first win over a Top 10 player since 2022. “It was a great start for me,” said Cilic. “Winning the first three games, getting a feel for the court, the conditions. It was a little bit gusty, but I was feeling the ball extremely well.”

Cilic faced two break points in the final set but saved them both. Notably, he struck 27 winners throughout the match, showcasing his aggressive style of play. “I had to stay patient but aggressive. I’m just so pleased that I was able to keep that great level throughout the whole match,” he added.

This was a disappointing exit for de Minaur, who has recently found success on tour. The Australian hit 32 unforced errors and only managed nine winners, unable to adapt to the windy conditions at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. He expressed frustration, stating, “I had a lot of chances but didn’t convert them. It wasn’t my day today.”

In another significant match of the day, French qualifier Gregoire Barrere pulled off a stunning upset by defeating World No. 9 and 2022 Dubai champion Andrey Rublev, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5). Barrere showcased resilience by saving five break points at a crucial moment in the final set.

“I’m so happy,” Barrere admitted after securing his first ATP 500 win. “The match was so tough. At 5-5, I was 0/40 and almost broken. What a victory. I played really well today.”

In other action, Daniil Medvedev, the top seed, kicked off his tournament with a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6(4) victory against Jan-Lennard Struff. Medvedev saved all four break points he faced, showcasing his strong serve. “You just need to play well and win your matches,” he said after the match.

Medvedev, the defending champion, commented on his return to action following an illness that forced him to retire in Doha last week. He expressed optimism about maintaining strong performance levels as the tournament progresses.

Now, Cilic will face Barrere in the second round, while Medvedev is set to encounter another tough opponent in upcoming rounds. The tournament continues to generate excitement with numerous upsets and competitive matches, reflecting the unpredictable nature of professional tennis.