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Marin Cilic scored his second victory against Novak Djokovic in 16 career games. (AP)
In a battle between two of the best lawn players in the world, Marin Cilic rallied Novak Djokovic from the thriller match of a final at the Fever-Tree Championships on Sunday.
After 11 direct hits to start the match, Djokovic shot the first blood, getting the first break of the match to sneak into the first set, 7-5. But after some resistance, Cilic pushed the first two points of Djokovic with winners of the forehand before making a setback on the third set-point.
After another nine consecutive starts to start the second set, Djokovic bounced back again, raising a match point with Cilic on duty at 4-5, 30-40. The Croatian won with a huge winner of the service and snatched two more big ones. serves to hold for 5-all. He was not yet in trouble; he fell 4-1 in the tie-break that followed, but he won six points in a row to bring the match to a third.
Ni Cilic beat Djokovic for 5-3, and the world number 6 served the game with love for a 5-7, 7-6 two-hour, 57-minute (4), 6-3 win.
"Last year, I had a match point in the final and I did not convert, and this year Novak had it, but I was just trying to stay mentally in it," said Cilic after the match. "It was an extremely difficult match today, there were no breaks for me until the end, so I'm relieved that I won it." Had a great week. "
WATCH-Cilic Victory Championship on Djokovic in London:
This was Cilic's second career title at Queen's Club, his first participation in 2012. Since then, he has competed in two other finals, but each time, in 2013 (to Andy Murray) and 2017 (to Feliciano Lopez).
"I waited six years to get this trophy," added the Croatian. "It's always a pleasure for me to play here, even when I lost in the final, and it's still amazing to play in front of this crowd."
Beating Djokovic is also notable for Cilic – it was only his second win in 16 career matches against the Serb, who was playing his first ATP World Tour final since he'd won Eastbourne in last July.
"I have to congratulate Marin for a phenomenal week and a big comeback today," Djokovic said afterwards. "It is a difficult loss for me, but I have to look at the positive side.I have not played the final of any event for nearly a year, so this result was excellent, and it really happened at the right time too. "
Cilic and Djokovic both played very well at Wimbledon. Djokovic is three times champion in 2011, 2014 and 2015, and Cilic reached the final last year (falling under Roger Federer). Both men will be among the favorites when the championships start in just over a week.
"I feel that I really find my peak form right now," said Cilic. "It's such a short season, so you really want to play well these few weeks, I hope to continue my good form at Wimbledon."
A LANDMARK DOCUMENTARY DURING THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS EVENT IN SPORT, CELEBRATING THE UNIFORM FEDERER-NADAL RIVALITY AND THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREATEST MATCH EVER PLAYED.
In association with All England Lawn & Tennis Club, Rock Paper Scissors Entertainment and Amblin Television. Directed by Andrew Douglas.
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