Marin Cilic, Dusan Lajovic win in Belgrade | ATP Tour

Matching Report

Cilic returns to winning ways in Belgrade, Lajovic wins at home

Shapovalov is improving on the hard indoor court ATP 250

November 04, 2024

Marin Cilic returned to winning ways on the ATP Tour on Monday with an opening round victory at the Belgrade Open.

The 36-year-old saved two break points he faced in a clinical second set, according to Infosys ATP Stats, en route to a 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Alexandre Muller. It was Cilic's first win at tour level in 2024, apart from his run to the title in Hangzhou in September.

“I heard you well, but if you don't play for a while, it happens [important] to find that strength,” said Cilic, who was once ranked No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “I needed to find that balance today, it took me a while to get used to the conditions and the balls.

“After 30 minutes, I started to feel great on the court, hitting, moving, serving. From then until the end of the game it was great, I felt very happy on the pitch.”

After overcoming Muller, world number 68, and snapping a four-match losing streak, Cilic will face fourth seed Jiri Lehecka in the second round.

Elsewhere, Dusan Lajovic recorded his first win since reaching the quarter-finals in Umag in July. The 34-year-old, recovering from a Davis Cup injury, cruised to a 6-0, 7-6(3) upset of ninth seed Mariano Navone.

“I didn't expect this kind of first set,” said Lajovic. “I didn't think I would play until the end of the season. I'm still not 100%, but I'm good enough to compete. I'm finding my groove so I'm happy to win the game.”

In the second round of the domestic tournament, the Serbian will face Fabian Marozsan, who came off a win over #NextGenATP superstar Shang Juncheng on Sunday.

In a battle of two qualifiers, Denis Shapovalov defeated Marton Fucsovics 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-1. After leveling the Lexus ATP Head2Head doubles series at 2-2, the former World No. 10 has scheduled a second round clash with fifth seed Nuno Borges.