Marin Cilic defeats American Taylor Fritz won the St. Petersburg Open 2021 final.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Croatian Marin Cilic won the St. Petersburg Open final with a 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4 victory over American Taylor Fritz on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Cilic clinched his second title in St. Petersburg. He previously won in 2011.

It was Marlin Cilic fourth title in Russia after two wins in 2014 and 2015 in Moscow, where he also lost the final last week.

The Croatian is the sixth active player to reach 20 tour-level titles after Roger Federer (103), Rafael Nadal (88), Novak Djokovic (85), Andy Murray (46) and Juan Martin del Potro (22).

Cilic save a break point in the final set with a daring drop shot.

But Cilic never stopped fighting, and he rallied from a break down in the deciding set to win after two hours and 23 minutes.

The 33-year-old hit 12 aces and won 78 per cent of his first-serve points in his victory.

Cilic took advantage of Fritz’s double-fault on break point at 4-4 to serve for the match, winning with a forehand volley.

Fritz stormed ahead in the decider, using his power and depth to maintain the momentum. But he was unable to finish the job, and Cilic got back on serve.

What Marin Cilic Said after won the St. Petersburg Open 2021 title.

"During the whole week I think my level was really good. I felt that I can still get my game to a better level, and it was a little bit similar today," Cilic said. "I was playing great on some occasions, missing some opportunities, serving for the first set, not making that first set more comfortably. As things went on, obviously Taylor started to play better. But in the end, [it was] a great mental battle from my side."

"Coming 10 years after winning in 2011 and also winning now, it's so, so special for me, especially this part of my career," Cilic said during the trophy ceremony. "Having now a family, two sons, I want to absolutely dedicate this trophy to my newborn son."

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Courtesy to ATPTour.com