Marin Cilic reacts to ending three-match losing streak in Moscow

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Former world No. 3 Marin Cilic underlined it always feels great to return to Moscow after making a winning start at the Kremlin Cup. Cilic, seeded at No. 6, recovered from a set down to beat three-time ATP champion Damir Dzumhur 6-7 (4) 6-1 6-1 in his Moscow opener.

Cilic has enjoyed lots of success in Moscow throughout his career and he is certainly hoping to make a deep run at the event this year as well. Cilic captured back-to-back Moscow titles in 2014 and 2015 but didn't go for a three-peat in 2016.

Cilic returned to Moscow in 2019 and made the semifinal, before losing to Andrey Rublev. “It always feels great [to be here],” Cilic said in his on-court interview, per the ATP website. “It is always a pleasure and it is great to see a nice crowd here.

I know that Damir always enjoys these conditions where the court is a bit slower and the ball stays a bit lower, so I was having a little bit of difficulty on his serve in the first set”.

Cilic recovered from a slow start

After losing a tight first set, Cilic absolutely dominated the rest of the match as he earned five breaks and lost no service games.

“In the second set I found a better rhythm and started to play great tennis and then the third set was really high quality and I could not be happier,” Cilic added. Cilic was playing his first match since firing coach Vedran Martin.

"Vedran Martic and I have decided to end our professional relationship and I would like to take a moment to thank him for his dedication, hard work, and all he has done for me as my coach. Of course, he stays my dear friend and Davis Cup captain," Cilic announced last month. Cilic arrived to Moscow on a three-match losing streak but that streak came to an end on Monday.