Cilic battles past Djokovic to claim Queen's title

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Croatia's Marin Cilic celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

(Reuters) - Top seed Marin Cilic saved a match point before edging past Novak Djokovic 5-7 7-6(4) 6-3 to win his second Queen's Club Championships crown on Sunday.

The Croatian, who last won the title in 2012, controlled the early exchanges from the baseline but missed six break point chances in the opening set, allowing Djokovic to battle back.

The 31-year-old Serb took his chances with a couple of crisp forehands in the 12th game to break the Cilic serve and claim the first set after an hour long battle.

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Croatia's Marin Cilic (R) poses with the trophy after winning the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

A rampant Djokovic conceded just one point on his first serve during the second set and looked favourite to close out the contest and claim a first title for 12 months.

Cilic netted a backhand to give the Serb a match point in the 10th game, but he responded with a booming serve out wide.

Djokovic, who had won 14 of his 15 matches against Cilic, then led 4-1 in the ensuing tiebreak but seemed to tighten up, and a double-fault at 4-4 gave Cilic the momentum to level.

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Croatia's Marin Cilic in action during the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

Cilic looked the stronger player in the decider and a superb running forehand pass gave him a break point at 3-4 before Djokovic hit a backhand into the net to drop serve.

All that was left was for Cilic to hold his serve, and he did so with a love game to claim his first title of the year and head for Wimbledon in high spirits.

"I was just trying to stay mentally in it. And definitely, it was an extremely tough match," Cilic said.

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Croatia's Marin Cilic in action during the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

"No breaks for me until that last (return) game. I definitely feel relieved that I won it and what a great week."

Djokovic will be concerned that he allowed a match in which he appeared to be in control slip through his fingers, although he has shown signs of a return to form after his struggles of earlier in the year following a minor elbow operation.

"Obviously disappointed not to be able to win it, because this was, you know, a big occasion for me playing finals against Cilic, who is obviously one of the best players in the world," three-times Wimbledon champion Djokovic said.

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during the final against Croatia's Marin Cilic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

"I thought I have built up the momentum quite well throughout the week. Played great. It wasn't to be, unfortunately. Double fault at 4-3 up (in the tiebreak). Yeah, I got a little bit tight there. Obviously he used it."

"But I can definitely take a lot of positives this week."

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during the final against Croatia's Marin Cilic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

(Writing by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru and Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris and Hugh Lawson)

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during the final against Croatia's Marin Cilic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Croatia's Marin Cilic reacts during the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Serbia's Novak Djokovic falls as he stretches for the ball during the final against Croatia's Marin Cilic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Croatia's Marin Cilic celebrates after winning the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien

Tennis - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London, Britain - June 24, 2018 Croatia's Marin Cilic hugs Serbia's Novak Djokovic after their final Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien