Cilic eliminates de Minaur in Dubai first round

Alex de Minaur exits the Dubai tournament in the first round, eliminated by Marin Cilic in 2h18 of play.

Cilic dominated the first set 6-2 and then held the break in the second. However, the Australian didn't give up and came back to win the second set 6-3.

In the third set, the Croatian saved a break point in his first service game and then managed to break de Minaur.

He thus beat the Australian 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, beating his first Top 10 since May 2022.

In a post-match interview, he declared: "It was a very good start for me with the four games won.

I've played Alex in the past, and he moves very well on the court.

I wanted to play aggressively but also remain patient. I'm delighted with my third set. It's never easy to beat a Top 10 player.

I hope I can keep this form and keep playing like this. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can play the whole season."

He will face Alexei Popyrin in the next round.