HEAD Player Marin Cilic Captures Home Title

HEAD pros enjoyed continued success this past weekend at ATP tournaments around the world.

HEAD player Marin Cilic, of Croatia, felt his home country behind him as he claimed his second ATP title of 2009 without losing a set at the PBZ Zagreb Indoors. The victory in Zagreb is Cilic’s first title won in his home country and third ATP title overall. The MicroGel Radical MP is his weapon of choice.

Cilic struggled in the beginning of the first set but quickly regained control, converting four out of six break points, defeating Mario Ancic in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.

“I enjoy being back in my home country and having the support of the crowd,” said Cilic. “In the first set I was able to make some key shots to hold off Mario, which gave me the confidence I needed to take home the title.”

French young gun Jeremy Chardy played his first ATP tournament final at the SA Tennis Open in Johannesburg. In an all-French final, top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won in two hard-fought sets 6-4, 7-6(5). Among others, Chardy, who also plays with a MicroGel Radical MP, defeated second seed David Ferrer.

Argentinian HEAD player Jose Acasuso reached the final at the Movistar Open of Vina del Mar where he was finally defeated by Fernando Gonzalez. Acasuso was the No. 4 seed who overcame second-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 earlier to reach the final.

"It was a very hard match, as it always is when I play Robredo," Acasuso said. "I'm very happy because this was my first tournament this year and it's proving to be a very good start."

HEAD fellow player and compatriot Pablo Cuevas claimed a semi final spot and also won the doubles competition with partner Brian Dabul.