“One of the Best Wins of My Career”: No. 109 Basavareddy Upsets Idol Cilic in Hangzhou
American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy, ranked 109th in the world, has secured the biggest win of his career by stunning defending champion Marin Cilic in the first round of the Hangzhou Open.
Basavareddy mounted a thrilling comeback to defeat the 59th-ranked former US Open champion, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Speaking after the match, the 20-year-old called the experience “pretty surreal,” noting that Cilic was a player he had long admired. “I looked up to him since I was young, saw him win a Grand Slam,” he said.
“I’m super happy to get the win,” he continued, ranking the achievement as a major personal milestone. “[It’s] definitely one of the best wins of my career so far.”
Photos from the ATP 250 Hangzhou Open team
