Djokovic, Pliskova win at Eastbourne

EASTBOURNE, England — Novak Djokovic gave his Wimbledon hopes a boost Saturday by winning the Eastbourne International final against Gael Monfils in straight sets.

Djokovic won 6-3, 6-4 in the grasscourt tournament for his first title since January at the Qatar Open.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to take the performance here and a good level of confidence into Wimbledon,” said Djokovic, who is seeded second for the Grand Slam event that starts Monday at the All England Club.

In the women’s final, Karolina Pliskova, a Wimbledon semifinalist last year, beat 2009 Eastbourne International champion Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-4 for her third title of the year. Pliskova lost in last year’s Eastbourne final.

“I’m really happy I got the trophy this time,” Pliskova said. “I feel quite OK on grass. … The serve is definitely my biggest weapon, and if it’s working, then it’s real trouble for the opponent.”

It was also mission accomplished for Djokovic. In need of a boost after losing in the French Open quarterfinals last month, he decided to compete on grass before Wimbledon for the first time in seven years, and he received a wild card for his first trip to Eastbourne.

He broke Monfils to start and finish the first set. In the second, he saved three break points and broke Monfils to cap the final. Djokovic improved to 14-0 against Monfils on the ATP World Tour.

It’s the 68th career title for Djokovic, and his first on grass outside of Wimbledon, which he won in 2011, 2014, and 2015.

Pliskova earned her ninth career title by breaking Wozniacki once in each set. The sixth-seeded Wozniacki had her only break points of the match in the sixth game of the second set but let four opportunities slip by.

“I had trouble getting the serves back,” she said, “but its great preparation before Wimbledon.”