Speed bump on road to Wimbledon: Federer, Djokovic lose in finals

Weeks after casting doubt over his participation at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic is heading for the tournament as a title contender.

Despite coming up just short in a 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3 loss to Marin Cilic in the Queen’s Club final in London on Sunday, Djokovic produced one of his best performances since missing the second half of 2017 with an elbow injury.

Cilic saved a match point at 4-5 in the second set and then won six consecutive points from 4-1 down in the tiebreaker to level, before going on to win his second title at the Wimbledon warm-up.

Djokovic was left in a far more optimistic mood than when he came off the court after a French Open quarterfinal defeat to Marco Cecchinato on June 5.

“Well, I’m there,” said Djokovic, when asked if he’s back to top form, singling out his earlier win against Grigor Dimitrov “in straight sets, all straight sets until today . ... I think that the level of my tennis has been as good as it has been the last 12 months.”

⏩ Roger Federer wasn’t displeased either after losing to Borna Coric 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-2 in the Gerry Weber Open final in Halle, Germany.

Coric, a 21-year-old Croat, saved three of the four break points he faced and took his second match point to end Federer’s 20-match winning streak on grass for his second career title.

“He was always a tick better in the end and he took his chances,” Federer said after only his third loss of the year.

Federer, who skipped the claycourt season for the second year in a row, had sought his 99th title, one week after taking his 18th grass-court title in Stuttgart.

⏩ Petra Kvitova fought back from a set down to beat Magdalena Rybarikova 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 and retain her Birmingham Classic title in England as the Czech player continued her impressive form ahead of Wimbledon. ELSEWHERE

Capitals re-sign defenseman Carlson

The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman John Carlson to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension.

Carlson will count $8 million against the salary cap through the 2026-27 season. The move allows the Stanley Cup champions to keep a valuable defenseman around long term.

Carlson led all defensemen with 68 points in the regular season and 20 in the playoffs to help Washington win the Metropolitan Division and then the Stanley Cup.

⏩ The Vancouver Canucks acquired center Tanner Kero from the Chicago Blackhawks for center Michael Chaput.

⏩ The Arizona Coyotes got defenseman Robbie Russo from Detroit for a conditional seventhround pick next year.

WNBA: Riquna Williams scored 25 points, hitting seven threepointers, to help the host Los Angeles Sparks rout the New York Liberty 80-54 . ... Breanna Stewart had 28 points and 12 rebounds and powered a late run for the Seattle Storm in a 97-76 win over the host Dallas Wings . ... Maya Moore scored 23 points and Sylvia Fowles added 20 to help the Minnesota Lynx win 88-72 over the host Las Vegas Aces . ... Rachel Banham scored 20 points and the visiting Connecticut Sun snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over the Indiana Fever, 87-78. ... Allie Quigley scored 20 points and hit a key basket late to help the host Chicago Sky put away the Phoenix Mercury, 97-88.

Major League Soccer: Jo Inge Berget scored twice and coach Domenec Torrent celebrated his New York City FC debut with a 2-1 victory over visiting Toronto FC. ... Julian Gressel tied it in the 56th minute and host Atlanta United held on for a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers.