Marin Čilić Joins Exclusive Company with Miami Open Comeback Win

Despite facing a tough challenge, Marin Čilić demonstrated resilience at the 2026 Miami Open, securing a comeback victory over Brandon Nakashima 2–6, 6–4, 7–6[7] in 2 hours and 31 minutes. This win marks a significant achievement for the 37-year-old Croatian, placing him in an exclusive group of players aged 37 or older to achieve a comeback win at the tournament.

Čilić’s Historic Victory

Čilić’s victory over Nakashima on March 21, 2026, adds him to a select group of players – Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, and Gaël Monfils – who have accomplished a comeback win at the Miami Open at age 37 or older, a feat noted by Yahoo Sports. This is his best finish at a Masters event since 2022.

Road to the Third Round

Prior to his match against Nakashima, Čilić had already shown promising form by defeating Alexei Popyrin in the first round. His current performance signals a return to form for the former US Open champion, whose most recent title came in Hangzhou in 2024.

Upcoming Challenge: Zverev Awaits

Čilić will now face Alexander Zverev in the third round of the Miami Open. Although, the Croatian has a challenging record against the German, having lost their last seven encounters since his initial win in Washington D.C. In 2015. Zverev also secured a victory against Čilić at the Madrid Open in 2022. Yahoo Sports reports that this will be their ninth career meeting.

Match Details

The match against Nakashima, played on Court 1 in Miami, saw Čilić overcome a first-set deficit to secure the win. Sofascore provides detailed match statistics and head-to-head results between the two players.

Looking Ahead

Čilić is aiming to reach the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time since 2021. His performance in Miami demonstrates his continued competitiveness and determination on the ATP Tour.