LONDON, June 25, 2017
Feliciano López completed a magical run to the title at The Queen’s Club, saving one match point in a thrilling deciding tie-break against Marin Cilic on Sunday.
The 35-year-old from Spain withstood 22 aces, firing 19 of his own to secure a 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 victory after two hours and 31 minutes.
The moment @feliciano_lopez wrapped up a THRILLER to be crowned champion at Queen’s 👌#AegonChampionships pic.twitter.com/Q2yyd5rBUS
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 25. Juni 2017
Runner-up in 2014 at the Aegon Championships, López notched his third ATP World Tour title on grass and sixth in total. The World No. 32 is the third player to save a match point in an ATP World Tour final this year, joining Victor Estrella Burgos, who saved one for the Quito title, and Marrakech champ Borna Coric, who saved five.
“It’s the best week of my career, I would say. To win this tournament at this stage of my career, this is so amazing. I was waiting so long to win this title. Queen’s is the best. Outside of the Grand Slams, this is one of the most special tournaments. You feel the atmosphere here, all over the years, a tradition that this tournament, the players that have won in the past. For me to be here on Sunday holding the trophy, it’s the best feeling I can have,” López told.
Cilic was bidding for his second Queen’s Club title, having lifted the trophy in 2012. He falls to 17-12 in tour-level finals.
“Looking at the whole week, it was great tennis for me. I have to say maybe one of the best grass-court tournaments for me overall throughout my career, looking at the consistency of my game. I lost my serve only once during the whole week, which is amazing, considering last week I didn’t lose serve in The Netherlands, too. That makes it even better,” Cilic said.
Murray/Soares Claim Second Grass Court Title
Last week’s Stuttgart winners Jamie Murray from Great Britian and Brazilian Bruno Soares extended their perfect run through the grass-court season, adding a title at The Queen’s Club. The pair defeated French tandem of Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-2, 6-3 in 61 minutes.
“I think we are really proud of our achievements. Bruno obviously won here before, but for me, I used to watch this tournament growing up all the time, come home from school, turn on the TV, watch the guys playing. And I’ve played here a lot of times now. I lost in the final to Bruno a few years ago. It’s a home event and it has a little bit more on it,” told Murray, who is the first British player to lift the doubles trophy since Jeremy Bates in 1990.
“Playing home events is not easy. You do get a lot of the support when you’re on court, which is very nice, but I also know that there is a lot going on off court, so it’s not easy for the local guys. It’s no different for Jamie. But every time we are on court, it’s very nice for us. We had the chance to play together in Brazil and it was amazing, and every time we come here it’s really nice. Today was a special day, winning such a big tournament and with a great crowd,” Soares added.
