Croatian teenager Marin Cilic outlasted home favorite Mardy Fish 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to seal a first career title at the ATP event in New Haven on Saturday. In a topsy-turvy match, the 19-year-old hit 11 aces and clinched victory after one hour and 54 minutes, thrusting his arms to the sky in jubilation of a landmark victory. “I am feeling very excited,” Cilic told reporters. “The match was a little bit thrilling, a lot of ups and downs from both of us, but eventually I got my thoughts back and my rhythm. I was really pumped up when I had to be and really enjoyed the moment in the end.” Cilic, who is set to rise from 31st to around 25th when the new world rankings are issued on Monday, said winning his first title at 19 meant he was on the right track. “It just helps me not to have any doubts in what I do and how I'm practicing and how am I improving and evolving,” he said. “It brings me a little more self-belief, that I'm on the right way and that I just have to keep on going like this.” On the women's side Danish teen sensation Caroline Wozniacki played like there was no tomorrow to win her second career WTA event in a row at the New Haven tournament. The 18-year-old Dane stunned top-seeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a battle of baseliners.
