Points won by each set: [ 39-44, 41-42, 33-23 ]
Points won directly behind the serve:
34 % Cilic – 39 of 113
38 % Djokovic – 42 of 109
Djokovic – Cilic’s most difficult opponent, the Croat had lost the first 14 matches to the one year older Serb before he finally beat him in Paris ’16. Their Queens Club final marked the first time Cilic was ranked higher [6 vs 22]. Nonetheless Djokovic put himself within one point of winning again. Djokovic won the opener after withstanding a triple break point at 3-all (three service winners) and created a match point at 5:4 in the 2nd set – Cilic responded with a powerful serve (almost an ace). Djokovic had his another chance leading 4:1* in the tie-break when Cilic constructed a point a bit above his standards – after attacking the net, he played a FH dropshot, then passed Djokovic with a slice backhand – a rare shot in his repertoire. Also a passing-shot (forehand down the line) helped him to break a very good serving Djokovic in the 8th game of the decider. The last game of the event was consisted of four quick points, Djokovic couldn’t put even one ball into Cilic’s side. “I was just trying to stay mentally in it. And definitely, it was an extremely tough match,” Cilic said. “No breaks for me until that last [return] game. I definitely feel relieved that I won it and what a great week.”
Cilic’s route to his 18th title:
1 Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-4
2 Gilles Muller 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
Q Sam Querrey 7-6(3), 6-2
S Nick Kyrgios 7-6(3), 7-6(4)
W Novak Djokovic 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3 – 1 m.p.