Novak Djokovic pleased to reach fist final in a year as he prepares for Marin Cilic showdown at Queen’s
The former world No 1 has not reached a final since Eastbourne 2017 and admitted Sunday’s encounter will be ‘special’ regardless of the result
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Your support makes all the difference.Novak Djokovic is enjoying the unfamiliar feeling of being back in a final after booking his place in Sunday’s Queen’s showpiece.
The former world number one has had a barren 12 months due to injury and poor form, but has reached his first final since last July after beating Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 in the Fever-Tree Championships semi-final.
Djokovic has looked back to his best this week but will face his toughest test yet on Sunday when he comes up against beaten 2017 finalist and top seed Marin Cilic.
Djokovic said: “It feels great, first one since Eastbourne.
“So it’s been a year. It is a special moment for me. Obviously I have been hoping to get here and working hard for it.
“So now that I get a chance to fight for a trophy in one of the biggest tournaments on the grass court, grass court season, it means a lot to me.
“I’m really pleased with the way I have played throughout the whole week.”
Djokovic knows it will not be easy against a man he believes is playing his best ever tennis.
“It’s quite different playing him on grass,” he added. “We have played in Wimbledon, but he’s just a different player, I think.
“In last couple of years he’s been in the form of his life and reaching his highest ranking in a career. And finals of Wimbledon, finals of Australian Open.
“You know, he’s probably been playing the best that he’s ever played. Grass court suits him very well. He just has a big game overall.”
Cilic is hoping to go one better this year but has no regrets over his 2017 final loss to Feliciano Lopez.
Cilic is back in Sunday’s showpiece after a 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/3) semi-final win over Nick Kyrgios.
His defeat to Lopez last year was a tough one as it was decided by a final-set tie-break, but it is not one that still rankles with him.
“The motivation is still there, it’s quite big,” the 2013 champion said. “It’s a 500 (points) and big tournament to get ready for Wimbledon.
“I don’t have regrets for last year, if that’s what you’re asking.
“I gave it my best on the court. My match was decided by one point. Feliciano played amazing tennis.
“You know, it’s great for me again that I’m here and giving myself another shot.”
Kyrgios, who beat British pair Andy Murray and Kyle Edmund, was satisfied with his week’s work after he followed up a run to the final in Stuttgart last week with one to the last four at Queen’s.
His serving is in a particularly good place as he served 98 aces in his four outings, twice achieving a personal best of 32 in a match.
“I’ve played some good tennis, have played some tough opponents,” he said.
“I played a lot of three-setters and a lot of tennis. That’s a positive. My body feels pretty good.”
PA
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