Moscow (AFP)

Karatsev, 28, flew over the game, including three breaks and four shutouts in this match which quickly turned into a contest of strength between the two hitters.

The Russian never seemed threatened and dictated his pace from his baseline.

The 33-year-old Croatian veteran has often chased after the ball and racked up mistakes.

Karatsev, who released his compatriot Karen Khachanov in the semifinals and Frenchman Gilles Simon in the quarterfinals, thus takes revenge on Cilic who had beaten him in straight sets in their previous confrontation, in August in Cincinnati.

Cilic, 41st in the world and winner of the US Open in 2014, was running for his twentieth title and a third victory in Moscow, a tournament he won in 2014 and 2015.

Karatsev, who is one of the revelations of this season, therefore pockets his second title, after Dubai in March, and continues his ascent which notably saw him reach the last four of the Australian Open in February.

"It's a dream come true for me. Winning here means a lot," said after the meeting the Russian player, who was not even in the top 100 at the beginning of the year and who will be 18th in the world in the next ranking. ATP.

The Kontaveit miracle

Her victory brought a smile back to the Russians who had seen their champion Ekaterina Alexandrova, 37th player in the world, lose the final of the WTA 500 tournament in Moscow earlier on Sunday to Estonian Anett Kontaveit, 20 in the world, in a spectacular match. .

Estonian Anett Kontaveit victorious over Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova in the final of the Moscow tournament, October 24, 2021 NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA AFP

Defeated in the first set and led 4-0 in the second, Kontaveit, 25, fought hard and turned the tables by winning seven games in a row, winning after 2:22, 4-6, 6-4 , 7-5.

"The match was very balanced. I tried to fight with everything I had and that's what saved me," said the Estonian after the game.

Kontaveit thus won the fourth solo title of his career, the third in 2021 after Cleveland in August and Ostrava in September.

Anett Kontaveit sacred in Moscow, October 24, 2021 NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA AFP

This victory rewards the very good season of the Estonian, who has played five finals this year, won 21 of her last 23 matches and remains on a series of 10 indoor victories.

© 2021 AFP