Cilic continues comeback with Open win in Zagreb

Zagreb (AFP) - Croatia's defending champion Marin Cilic won the $420,000 ATP Zagreb Indoors Open by defeating top seed Tommy Haas 6-3, 6-4 in Sunday's final.

It was Cilic's fourth title in Zagreb after wins there in 2009, 2010 and last year. Sunday's title was the 10th in the career.

"It's nice to be here, on the throne, with the trophy, notably afer a year which was very difficult for me," the 25-year-old Croat said.

Last year Cilic faced a controversial doping ban after he tested positive for the stimulant nikethamide at the Munich Open in May.

He was originally banned for nine months by an independent tribunal, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the ban to four months in October when he returned to tournaments.

"I played a very good tournament and I'm satisfied with my form which is promising," Cilic, the world number 37, said.

Meanwhile, Haas said that despite the defeat "it was a nice week in Zagreb".

"I congratulate Marin on the deserved victory. I might return to Zagreb in a year, if I am still playing tennis. I would love to win here once," the 35-year-old Haas, World Number 12, said.

Cilic dominated the match which lasted only one hour and 20 minutes. The Croat was faster, and Haas did not have any serious chance in either set.

In the first set Cilic needed only one break - in the sixth game - to take the set.

Similarly, in the second, one break was enough to force the eventual win.