Djokovic, Pliskova triumph with ease

Eastbourne, July 1: Novak Djokovic clinched his first title since January with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Gael Monfils in Saturday’s Eastbourne final, while Karolina Pliskova lifted the women’s trophy after defeating Caroline Wozniacki.

Djokovic, playing the week before Wimbledon for the first time since 2010, captured his 68th career title — but just the second this year — after downing Monfils for the 14th time in as many meetings.

“It’s been a great decision to come here,” Djokovic, whose form has dramatically tailed off since completing the career Grand Slam at last year’s French Open, told Eurosport.

“Coming to Eastbourne I obviously haven’t had as much success as in previous seasons during the first six months.”

The world number four will face Slovakia’s Martin Klizan in the first round at Wimbledon where he is a threetime former champion.

Earlier, third seed Pliskova beat Danish sixth seed Wozniacki 64, 6-4 to underline her status as a Wimbledon title contender.

The Czech secured her third title of the season after breaking Wozniacki once in both sets, leaving the Dane still searching for a first trophy since her win in Hong Kong last October.

Pliskova needed 90 minutes to win the trophy and become the first top-10 player to win the event since former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli in 2011.

The 25-year-old fired ten aces in an impressive serving display, as Wozniacki was unsuccessful on four breakpoint chances.

Pliskova will go into Wimbledon as one of the favourites for the title, having also reached the French Open semi-finals at Roland Garros last month.