ATP Hong Kong: Struff saves nine match points to beat Cilic in thriller

Jan-Lennard Struff edged out Marin Čilić 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) on Tuesday. He’ll play Austrian Sebastian Ofner in the next round

Jan-Lennard Struff

Haresh Ramchandani

January 2, 2024

Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open •Third round • completed

See draw

J. StruffvsM. Čilić

German Jan-Lennard Struff, the No 5 seed, saved nine match points to defeat former US Open champion Croat Marin Cilic 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) in the first round of the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open on Tuesday.

Cilic, who played only two matches in all of 2023 due to injuries, looked to be in good shape for a victory as he led by a set and 5-2. However, Struff, who was voted the ATP Comeback Player of the Year by his peers in 2023, produced an incredible turnaround to save five match points at the end of the second set, three more while serving while trailing 6-5 in the decider and a ninth match point while trailing 7-6 in the final set tiebreak.

In the end, the German won 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(7) in a three-hour battle to move into the second round where he will meet Austrian Sebastian Ofner.

I just told myself ‘Let’s go,’ to keep fighting, to never quit. You have to give yourself the chance to fight back.

Struff said he told himself to keep fighting and not to quit when he was staring at defeat at the hands of the former world No 3.

“It was such a tough battle. I wasn’t playing my best tennis, but I don’t want to take anything away from Marin, he played a crazy, amazing match,” said Struff after his win. “It’s great to have Marin back after such a long time out. He’s such a tough competitor, so a lot of respect. He’s always working so hard and an unbelievable role model for the game. I just told myself ‘Let’s go,’ to keep fighting, to never quit. You have to give yourself the chance to fight back. It won’t be given to you and that’s why it’s such a great sport. Obviously very happy to take the win.”