Marin Cilic breaks Andy Murray record with recent triumph in Challengers event

Croatia’s Marin Cilic secured a unique record. The 36-year-old recently participated in the Challengers event in Girona where he lifted the title after beating Elmer Moller in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

With that triumph, Cilic secured a unique record. He lifted a Challenger's event after a gap of 18 years, surpassing the record of the former world number one Andy Murray, who lifted a Challenger's event after a gap of 17 years and eight months. It was his first title this year at any level in professional tennis.

In the final, Cilic was just too good for his opponent. He produced eight aces, five more than his opponent. He won 73 percent points on first serve, which was considerably higher than his opponent, who managed to win 63 percent points on his first serve. Cilic won 78 points in total, 10 more than his opponent.

Interestingly, the one-time Grand Slam winner just lost one set in the whole campaign. He started the competition with a straight set win over Spain’s Carlos Taberner with a score of 6-4, 6-3. In the round of 16, Cilic defeated Mrton Fucsovics with a score of 6-7, 6-4, 6-2. In the quarterfinals stage, the former world number three defeated Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-4. In the semifinals stage, Cilic secured a comfortable win in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Cilic will next participate in another Challenger event in Menorca, where he will face Canada’s Ignacio Buse in the round of 32.