Cilic topples Bautista Agut for Moscow title

Moscow, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic returned to the winner's circle on Sunday with a straight-set victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in the final of the Kremlin Cup.

Cilic earned his fourth title of 2014 and the 13th of his career with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph. He also won in Zagreb and Delray Beach earlier this year before the biggest victory of his career last month at Flushing Meadows.

Since capturing his first Grand Slam title in New York, Cilic was beaten by Andy Murray in the Beijing quarterfinals and suffered a first-round exit last week in Shanghai.

"After winning such a big tournament as a Grand Slam you have a lot of emotions and it's important to bounce back and keep going," said Cilic. "I feel this is going to be a really good push for my career. All the titles are special, but this one will definitely have an important spot. It is important for my progress."

Seeded second in Moscow, Cilic twice went to three sets in his first three matches before taking care of Bautista Agut. He saved three break points in his first service game, then broke for a 4-3 lead in the opening set. An early break to start the second was enough for Cilic to become the second Croat to win in Moscow, following coach Goran Ivanisevic in 1996.

Cilic, who also qualified for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals this week, improved to 13-9 all-time in finals.

Bautista Agut dropped to 2-2 in title matches. The Spaniard claimed his first ATP title earlier this year in Den Bosch and followed it with another victory in Stuttgart.

Cilic, whose 54 match wins this year trail only Roger Federer's 61, secured a first prize of $140,750.