Sunday 25 October 2015 17:02, UK
Marin Cilic retained his title at the Kremlin Cup after defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 6-4 in a repeat of last year's final, but the victory was not enough to secure him a place in the end-of-season ATP World Tour Finals.
The big-hitting Croatian came under pressure in the early stages but soon took control, breaking the Spaniard's serve at 3-3 before closing out the first set.
Cilic went a break up at 2-2 in the second before saving two break points in the next game to hold his advantage.
He climbed two places to 11th in the Race to London, although David Ferrer's subsequent title run in Vienna put him out of the running for one of the two remaining spots in London.
"This tournament is becoming more and more special for me," Cilic said. "Coming back for a second year in a row and to win it again, it gives me huge, huge satisfaction and huge pleasure."
Bautista Agut said he was satisfied with his performance despite the defeat. "That's how I like to finish the week. I gave everything on this court," he said.
It is the 14th career title for former US Open champion Cilic, while Spain's Bautista Agut drops to a 2-3 record in ATP Tour finals.
It was the first final for both players since they met last year in Moscow, which also produced the same scoreline.
