Marin Cilic wins second title in a month

Croatian HEAD racquet rebel Marin Cilic won his second ATP title within a month as he hammered out a 6-4, 6-2 win with his YouTek IG Instinct MP over Marcel Granollers to win the Vegeta Croatia Open in the Adriatic costal beauty spot of Umag. The title, eighth of his career for World No. 15 Cilic, followed his pre-Wimbledon success at the Queen’s Club in London. Cilic complotted his victory run at home without losing a set and also gained revenge for the 2011 final which he lost to Alexandr Dolgopolov, with the Ukrainian player becoming Cilic’s semi-final victim.

"Marcel is a dangerous player, so it was not easy in the beginning. He was playing really well and not giving me too much," said Cilic. "After I found some solutions, I kept with him and played great tennis. It was maybe my best match of the week. I had a streak of winning nine games in a row, so that was amazing. It helped me to relax and know that I was on the right path."

Cilic has won 12 of his last 14 matches as the HEAD ace recovers his best form. He now stands 8-7 in career ATP finals. The tight final was a defensive struggle, with the big-hitting Cilic finding only one ace. He is the first Croatian to win the home title since the tournament’s first year in 1990 when Goran Prpic beat Goran Ivanisevic in all-Croat final.

"It's a real privilege to be among these champions. It was really special this week. I was enjoying every moment in my matches," said Cilic. "I'm really glad I won for my supporters, my team and myself."

Cilic is now due some rest as he prepares for the London Olympics starting July 29, He goes back onto the grass after his pair of breakthroughs in 2012 - winning his first grass and first clay titles after he earned three indoors and three on hard-court.