Cilic trailed 4-2 in the first set before winning nine games in a row to seize a commanding 5-0 lead in the second. He served for the match at 5-1, but Granollers broke and saved two match points before Cilic sealed the victory with a forehand winner.

Cilic is the first Croat to claim the title since Goran Prpic won the inaugural event in 1990. It was his second title of the year, after winning at Queen's Club last month.

'This was a special week and a special victory for me,' Cilic told the crowd in Umag. 'I played some great tennis. Marcel is a really dangerous player, so it was not easy in the beginning. He was playing really well and not giving me too much,' said Cilic. 'After I found some solutions, I kept with him and played great tennis. It was maybe my best match of the week. I had a streak of winning nine games in a row, so that was amazing. It helped me to relax and know that I was on the right path.'

Granollers said Cilic 'was a better player today.' 'I think Marin was much better than me. He played a very good match,' said Granollers. 'I was up 4-2 in the first set but I did not close out the set. Marin started to play better and better. The second set, I didn’t know how to win a point. I congratulate him on how he played.'

This was the 23rd edition of the ATP tournament in that western Croatian coastal town.