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Cilic, the former world number-three, maintained his level throughout the contest and struck 27 winners en route to notching his first victory of the 2025 season.

“It was a great start for me,” Cilic said. “Winning the first three games, getting a feel for the court, the conditions. It was a little bit gusty, but I was feeling the ball extremely well. 

"I know how dangerous Alex is… He is an incredible runner on the court, he gets some balls that nobody gets. I had to stay patient but aggressive. I’m just so pleased that I was able to keep that great level throughout the whole match.”

Cilic, who fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the first round in Doha last week, crucially saved each of the two break points he faced in the third set against the Australian. With his two-hour, 17-minute victory, the Croatian world number-187 notched his first win in Dubai since reaching back-to-back quarter-finals in 2009-2010.

“I haven’t had that many chances to settle in this season,” said Cilic, who will face another Australian, Alexei Popyrin, in the second round. “Last week I played Carlos in Doha, Alex here. They’re both Top 10 guys playing extremely well. It’s a great effort from me, a great sign that I’m playing really well. It’s a matter of matches for me that I can get in the match form. Hopefully I can keep the form going.”

Having won back-to-back titles in Acapulco in 2023-2024 during this week of the season, De Minaur was competing in Dubai for the first time since 2022. Yet the 26 year-old was unable to adjust to the windy conditions, hitting 32 unforced errors and managing only nine winners.

Quentin Halys scored the biggest win of his career by rallying past last week’s Doha champion Andrey Rublev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5). 

The French qualifier saved five break points at 5-5 in the final set en route to sinking the 2022 Dubai titlist and third seed in two hours, 12 minutes. Halys will next face another former champion, Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.

“I’m so happy, even though I’m not so smiley now,” Halys said. “The match was so tough. At 5-5, I was 0/40 and almost broken. What a victory. I played really well today. At the beginning I was a bit nervous, but at the end I was pretty calm. The key was to serve well, be aggressive and make amazing shots.

“Everytime you play a 500, you’re playing an amazing guy. I lost many times, but today is the best victory of my career. I enjoy playing here, the conditions suit my game.”

Earlier, Nuno Borges earned his first win over a Top 20 player since August by dispatching eighth seed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-1 in 61 minutes. 

With his commanding victory, the 28 year-old became the first Portuguese match winner in Dubai since Joao Sousa in 2015.

Fils was making his first appearance since Rotterdam after he was forced to withdraw from Marseille and Doha due to a left thigh injury. With his Tour-leading 17 wins, the 20 year-old won the ATP 500 Bonus Pool in 2024 but has notched a 1-2 record at that level to begin 2025.

Borges will next face Felix Auger-Aliassime, who overcame Alexander Bublik 7-6(7), 6-7(4), 6-3.