I thought my chance had Aegon
Lopez crowns it at last
FELICIANO LOPEZ made the perfect preparation for Wimbledon by lifting the Aegon Championship silverware at Queen’s.
Lopez has never gone past the quarter-finals at the All England Club but after winning his sixth ATP singles title the Spaniard will be one of the form players in Friday’s draw.
Andy Murray’s early exit means the Scot’s played just two competitive grasscourt sets ahead of the third Grand Slam of the year while Lopez has 27.
The Spaniard battled back from a set down and saved a match point in the deciding tie-break yesterday to beat world No.7 Marin Cilic 4-6 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (10/8).
Lopez lost to the Croat in straight sets at last month’s French Open but that was on clay. This was on grass, Lopez’s favourite surface – where his bending lefthanded serve and sizzling slice backhand can be utilised to the full.
For Cilic this was a surprise loss but he too will head to SW19 full of confidence after an excellent week that had seen Murray, Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka all falter in the first round.
Lopez, 35, wasted a match point before losing to Grigor Dimitrov in the Final three years ago but this time held on for glory.
The match was decided in an epic tiebreak with remarkable grasscourt skills from both players.
Cilic brought up match point with an ace but Lopez saved it when he cut off the Croat’s attempted pass with a stretching volley. Lopez then had a match point only for Cilic to snuff it out with his 22nd ace of the match.
Lopez performed miracles to scramble a point at 7-7 and serve for the match but Cilic responded with a nerveless volley after an exchange of blows from the baseline.
A 19th ace for Lopez brought up another match point and this time Cilic could not reply.
Lopez said “Wow. I cannot believe I have finally won this trophy.
“It was tough to put that match against Dimitrov from my mind. I was serving for the match again and it was difficult to handle my nerves. I was waiting so long, I’m so happy.”