Novak Djokovic ended his final drought as the former world number one reached his first title match for a year with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 win against Jeremy Chardy at Queen's Club on Saturday. Djokovic will play top seed Marin Cilic on Sunday in the Serb's first final since he won the grass-court tournament at Eastbourne 12 months ago. It will be Djokovic's first appearance in the Queen's title match since he was beaten by Rafael Nadal in his only previous final at the Wimbledon warm-up event in 2008.
The 31-year-old's 99th career final offers him the chance to move above Stefan Edberg into sole possession of ninth place in the all-time match wins list on 802. "It was very pleasing to go through to the final. It's been a while since I've played for a title so it's a special moment considering what I have been through," Djokovic said. "It's a great occasion. I would lie if I say I wasn't ambitious coming into the tournament so I'm hoping I can go all the way."
Asked how he would cope with Cilic's power serves, Djokovic joked: "I will play with two racquets! One in the right hand and one in the left hand!" After such a turbulent period since he was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon with an elbow injury last year, Djokovic may be rounding into form just in time for his return to the All England Club. Djokovic is a lowly 22nd in the ATP rankings after an embarrassing French Open quarter-final defeat against Italian journeyman Marco Cecchinato extended his wretched run in 2018.
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