What Marin Cilic has done for the first time since 2022 after beating Alex De Minaur at the Dubai Tennis Championships

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Marin Cilic produced a vintage performance to cause one of the upsets of the 2025 season so far.

The veteran has been trying to rediscover his best form after undergoing knee surgery in 2024.

Cilic claimed his 21st ATP title at the Hangzhou Open in September, and he has begun a quest for a 22nd championship in great fashion.

On Tuesday, the Croat defeated Alex de Minaur in his opening match at the Dubai Tennis Championships in three entertaining sets.

Marin Cilic shocks Alex de Minaur at the Dubai Tennis Championships

Marin Colic played just his second match since November when he took De Minaur in Dubai.

The Australian has been one of the ATP Tour’s most solid and consistent players over the past year and it was certainly a tough test for Cilic especially given his lack of matches.

But the 36-year-old reminded everyone why he is a Grand Slam champion and was one of the most dangerous players on tour at his peak.

Cilic struck 27 winners and crucially saved two break points in the deciding set on the way to claiming a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory in two hours and 17 minutes.

This is Cilic’s first win over a top 10 player since he beat Daniil Medvedev the 2022 French Open, and he edged ahead 3-2 in his head-to-head rivalry with De Minaur.

Marin Cilic reacts after securing first match win of 2025

Cilic did not start his season until February 17 when he took on Carlos Alcaraz at the Qatar Open.

He lost 4-6, 4-6 but it was an encouraging performance and he has built on that with an impressive victory against De Minaur, which is his first win of the year.

Cilic’s next opponent will be another Australian in Alexi Popyrin, and the 2014 US Open winner is ready for the challenge.

“I’m just so pleased that I was able to keep that great level throughout the whole match.,” he said. “I haven’t had that many chances to settle in this season.

“Last week I played Carlos in Doha, Alex here. They’re both Top 10 guys playing extremely well. It’s a great effort from me, a great sign that I’m playing really well. It’s a matter of matches for me that I can get in the match form. Hopefully I can keep the form going.”