Marin Cilic vs Zhizhen Zhang - Hangzhou Open Tennis Prediction and Pick 9/24/24

Marin Cilic soared into his first ATP final following his comeback from a knee injury. He defeated Brandon Nakashima in the semifinal on Monday in a match that took 23 games to decide. Cilic had to save a pair of set points in the second set before he prevailed 6-4, 7-6 after an hour and 46 minutes.

In the victory, Cilic registered eight aces to one double fault. He landed 58% of first serves but won 83% of first-serve points (34/41). The veteran Croatian won 57% of second-serve points (17/30) and converted the only break point of the match in the first set. Cilic, who was granted a wild card into this tournament, will become the lowest-ranked ATP champion if he wins on Tuesday at No. 777.

Zhizhen Zhang, meanwhile, reached his first-ever ATP final by beating countryman Bu Yunchaokete in the second semifinal, which also required 23 games to decide. In the victory, Zhang made the gulf in rankings count as he hammered ten aces and landed 76% of first serves.

He won 75% of first-serve points (44/59) and 63% of second-serve points (12/19). He converted the only break point of the match and saved all four on his serve. Zhang, who is ranked 43rd in the rankings, will aim to win his first ATP title on home soil.

Marin Cilic vs Zhizhen Zhang Head-To-Head

• Cilic and Zhang have never met at any level before this.

Marin Cilic vs Zhizhen Zhang Prediction

Experience is the biggest drawback for Zhang in this match as he comes up with a 20-time ATP titlist in Cilic. The veteran Croatian has rolled back the years in the past week, managing to come away with high-quality wins over Yoshihito Nishioka and Brandon Nakashima. There were suggestions that he could struggle to rediscover his winning touch so early in his comeback and that lack of game time could eventually cost him. That has not been the case, as Cilic has been serving lights out and accelerating with his forehand. However, I feel Zhang will match him from the baseline with his own massive serve that has not been broken in the last three matches. Additionally, Zhang is playing at home, which could be a crucial factor as the Chinese fans will be desperate to witness a historic moment.