Gerry Weber Open—Halle, Germany
Unseeded Croatian Borna Coric defeated world No. 1 Roger Federer 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-2 on Sunday to capture his first-ever grass-court title at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany. Saving two set points in the first set, Coric broke serve on three occasions and overcame a solid serving performance by his opponent, which included 12 aces.
Needing two hours and four minutes to complete his victory, Coric used his measured ground-strokes and improved net game to off-set his legendary opponent.
Federer, who was aiming to win his 99th career title, enters Wimbledon 8-1 on grass this year with a win in Stuttgart last week.
As a result of Federer’s defeat, Rafael Nadal will enter Wimbledon as the No. 1 ranked player in the world.
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Fever-Tree Championships—London, Great Britain
Top seed Marin Cilic overcame a valiant effort from former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic on Sunday in London, Great Britain, defeating the Serb 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3 to capture the Queen’s Club title. Losing his serve in the 12th game of the first set, Cilic faced match points late in the second and also trailed 4-1 in the second set tiebreaker before roaring back. Hitting a running down-the-line forehand winner to take a 5-3, third set lead, the towering Croatian sealed the match after Djokovic over-hit a forehand return.
Djokovic, who was competing in his 99th career final, showed promising signs all week of regaining the form that had seen him dominate the sport two years ago.
Djokovic and Cilic will next see action at the Wimbledon Championships in London, England. Djokovic is a former three-time winner of the event and Cilic returns to the tournament as the defending finalist.
