Marin Cilic's Ruthless Melbourne Comeback

Marin Cilic delivered a dominant performance with a 6-0, 6-0, 7-6(3) win over Germany's Daniel Altmaier in the Australian Open's first round. Despite losing his streak briefly, Cilic finished strong. This performance sparked discussions of a 'triple bagel,' a rare feat last achieved in 1993.

Former Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic showcased exceptional skill, defeating Daniel Altmaier of Germany with a decisive 6-0, 6-0, 7-6(3) win in the first round at Melbourne Park on Monday.

The 37-year-old Croatian swept through the opening 12 games with ease, invoking chatter about a potential 'triple bagel'—a rare accomplishment in Grand Slam tournaments. This feat has only been achieved by five players, with the last instance occurring during the 1993 French Open by Sergi Bruguera.

Although Cilic encountered a challenging moment at the start of the third set, he overcame a breakpoint to stay on course. His opponent, Altmaier, initiated a comeback, momentarily disrupting Cilic's momentum by breaking a 25-game losing streak dating back to the previous week. Still, Cilic persevered in the tiebreak to secure his victory.

(With inputs from agencies.)