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Injury-hit Cilic creates ATP history with comeback title

Related Topics: Marin Cilic, Zhang Zhizhen

Former US Open champion Marin Cilic became the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP Tour title with an emotional victory at the Hangzhou Open.

Croatia's Cilic, who started the tournament at 777th in the world, has spent the majority of the past two seasons out with a knee injury which required multiple surgeries.

Given a wildcard to play in Hangzhou, the former world number three had not won an ATP Tour match in 22 months before this week.

On Tuesday, just four days before his 36th birthday, he beat home favourite Zhang Zhizhen 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) to lift the title.