Novak Djokovic will face top seed Marin Cilic in Queen's Club final
Serb through to first final since he won the grass-court tournament at Eastbourne 12 months ago
Saturday 23 June 2018 17:58, UK
Novak Djokovic will take on top seed Marin Cilic at the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen's Club after reaching his first final in 12 months.
The former world No 1, who has suffered from an elbow injury for 18 months, has not got beyond a semi-final since he won at Eastbourne last June.
Djokovic chalked up his 800th career victory against Adrian Mannarino to reach the last four, and notched up win number 801 after dumping out another Frenchman in the shape of Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 on Saturday to set up a blockbuster showpiece against Cilic.
"It was very pleasing to go through to the final. It's been a while since I've played for a title so it's a special moment considering what I have been through," Djokovic said.
"It's a great occasion. I would lie if I say I wasn't ambitious coming into the tournament so I'm hoping I can go all the way."
The 31-year-old's 99th career final offers him the chance to move above Stefan Edberg into sole possession of ninth place in the all-time match wins list on 802.
After claiming a tight opening set a tense clash reached boiling point when Djokovic complained angrily after he was ruled to have touched the net while hitting a winner - forcing the umpire to give the point to Chardy.
But Djokovic quickly refocused and broke Chardy for the first time in the ninth game before serving out his long-awaited semi-final victory.
The 31-year-old Serb has been in the doldrums since winning the French Open in 2016 to complete his career Grand Slam.
And while he has not won a title for a year, a strong run in Rome, followed by a quarter-final showing at the French Open and now an impressive transition to grass, augurs well for his chances at next month's Wimbledon.
Djokovic leads 14-1 in meetings against Cilic, but the 29-year-old giant Croatian broke his losing streak by winning their last encounter in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters in 2016.
"I will play with two rackets! One in the right hand and one in the left hand!" Djokovic said when asked how he would cope with the power of Cilic's serve.
We will have the final of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle on Sunday with Roger Federer up against Borna Coric, live on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Mix from 12pm.
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