Marin Cilic rolls back the years as second seed Alex de Minaur dumped out at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
ATP
Alex de Minaur's week is not going to plan at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with Marin Cilic rolling back the years to dump out the second seed 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Cilic had to use a protected ranking to get in this week but exerted pressure from the get go on De Minaur who has been one of the best players on tour this season thus far.
It is a first top 10 win since 2022 for the former Grand Slam champion who is now 36 and alongside the likes of Novak Djokovic, Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka remain the stalwarts of the game still competing and in this case taking down top names.
It is just his second match of 2025, he has won just seven matches on the ATP Tour since 2022 and hasn't beaten not only a top 10 player but a player ranked in the top 35 since 2022. But now he has just beaten the World No.8 who continues to go from strength to strength but suffered a poor loss at the hands of the Croat.
The signs perhaps were there though for Cilic who played an encouraging match last week against Alcaraz in Doha and is now into the second round in Dubai. The hope will be for him that he just keeps fit. He has often shown in the past few years that his deft touch is still there but it often is haemorrhaged by an injury.
It is the first opening round match lost by De Minaur since June when he was defeated by Lorenzo Musetti at Queen's Club and now it is Alexei Popyrin for Cilic. He also sits in the quarter with Nuno Borges who took down Arthur Fils earlier today in a quality win. What can he feasibly do this week after claiming this incredible win.
Match Statistics Cilic vs. de Minaur
| Cilic | VS | de Minaur |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 3 | Aces | 2 |
| 3 | Double Faults | 4 |
| 60% (53/89) | 1st Service Percentage | 49% (36/74) |
| 68% (36/53) | 1st Service Points Won | 67% (24/36) |
| 56% (20/36) | 2nd Service Points Won | 47% (18/38) |
| 71% (5/7) | Break Points Saved | 0% (0/4) |
| 83% (10/12) | Service Games | 69% (9/13) |
| Return | ||
| 33% (12/36) | 1st Return Points Won | 32% (17/53) |
| 53% (20/38) | 2nd Return Points Won | 44% (16/36) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 2h 12m | Match Duration | 2h 12m |
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
