By Chris Oddo | Sunday, October 19, 2014

 

Marin Cilic defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets to become the first Croat to claim the Kremlin Cup in 18 years on Sunday in Moscow.

Photo Source: Kremlin Cup

Marin Cilic proved that he isn’t ready to rest on his laurels after becoming a Grand Slam champion by conquering the Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.

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The Croat, who officially qualified for his first ever ATP World Tour Finals appearance earlier in the week, becomes the first man from his country to secure the title in Moscow since his current coach, Goran Ivanisevic, won the title in 1996.

Cilic believes that his 13th title is a good sign for his maturation.

"After winning such a big tournament as a Grand Slam you have a lot of emotions and it’s important to bounce back and keep going” Cilic said after the match. “I feel this is going to be a really good push for my career. All the titles are special but this one will definitely have an important spot. It is important for my progress.”

Cilic was forced to go the distance twice in his first three matches in Moscow, but on Sunday, he refused to yield against Bautista Agut, despite facing six break points in the first set. He would save them all en route to his 54th match win of 2014. Only Roger Federer (61) has more among ATP players.

Cilic broke Bautista Agut decisively in the seventh game of the first set, then immediately in the second set before racing to victory in one hour and 24 minutes.

Bautista Agut is one of five first-time titlists on the ATP Tour this season, and he has contested finals on all three surfaces.

Cilic improves to 13-9 lifetime in finals, and 4-1 in 2014.