http://www.croatiantimes.com/index.php?id=2377

Cilic clinches Chennai crown

Marin Cilic's 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) victory over Somdev Devvarman ended hopes of a
historic home win in the final of the Chennai Open.

The Croatian ended 202nd-ranked wildcard's dream run in the tournament to
clinch a morale-boosting victory ahead of the Australian Open.

Devvarman was bidding to become the first Indian to win an ATP event since
1998, when Davis Cup captain Leander Paes won at Newport.

And 6,000 home fans packed into the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium to cheer on
the 23-year-old, who put up a valiant effort against the world number 27.

Cilic, 20, survived six break points in the first seven games and held on to
win the first set when Devvarman, down 4-5, double-faulted at 30-40 in the
10th game.
Forehand winner

He was then broken by his opponent while serving for the match at 5-3 in the
second set but held his nerve in the tie-breaker, sending a forehand winner
down the line to wrap up the match.

Devvarman, born in the north-eastern state of Assam, beat Carlos Moya in the
second round and world number 25 Ivo Karlovic of Croatia on his way to the
final.

The US-based player went through to the last two after fifth-seeded Rainer
Schuettler of Germany withdrew from the semi-finals with a wrist injury.

Cilic, a semi-finalist in the tournament last year, claimed his second career
title with the win after winning the New Haven final last August.

"We played a really good match," the third seed said at the prize ceremony.

"It wasn't the best in a tennis way, but in a fighting way it was a good one,
especially because of the crowd and their support to Somdev in the second set
helping him to come back."

Croatian Times