Final Queen's

Finals day at Queen's. You can feel the anticipation, the excitement,

the tension. It's a reminder of the 127 years of history and of the

tennis greats who have lifted this magnificent trophy.

This afternoon two men with some unfinished business in this event go

head-to-head. Croatia's Marin Cilic won this title

in 2012, but was deprived at the winning moment. Five years on, will

he experience that today? Spain's Feliciano Lopez was runner

up here in 2014. Three years later, is the stage set for his redemption?

Whose name will be etched on the cup - the Croat's or at 35 will the

Spaniard become Queen's oldest champion. Will the dream come true?

He's up against a man who looks like he's playing his best tennis ever.

So, the final is set. It is Cilic against Lopez. If you look at the

head-to-head, Cilic leads 5-2. They have only met twice on grass. Both

went three sets. On one occasion here, Lopez had a match point. So

evenly balanced going into the Aegon championship final today.

And joining me here Peter and John. Peter, we looked here - they have

been the form players, haven't they? Both look like they are playing the

best tennis ever. Even Lopez? Both have lost their serve only once this

week. Cilic, especially I think is, he's a real threat to win anything

on this surface now. A service great. His forehand has become a

great weapon. Very impressive. And John, you were calling the match

last night when Lopez beat Dimitrov. How good was he in that third set?

He was absolutely awesome. In the second set, his drop to 51%, which

is a sign sometimes of tiredness not reaching up. In the third set up to

62%. His serve was magnificent. His backhand slice, which was what I

think won him the match, in my opinion, it's the best slice on

grass in the world. He's got so much variation. He's

approach shots, he kept going straight, deep into Dimitrov

backhand. In the end, started missing passing shots. And we were

worried about how tired he would be - because he's had three-set matches

last week in Stuttgart. Here coming a match point down against Berdych.

Played his best tennis towards the end of the match. At 35 he might be

in the best shape of his life. It is incredible how low he gets down to

the ball, which is so important on this surface and just how seemingly,

when you think he's got to be tired, even emotionally, mentally he's got

to be tired, and yet, none of it. He keeps coming. And it will be a brave

guy to say he couldn't keep it going one more match. Absolutely because

the motivation is there. This title is so important to both players.

More so probably Lopez, having got so close. He had a match point

against Dimitrov in the final. He dearly wants to win here. He does.

He loves the event. He deserves to win this title in some ways because

he's been at it for so long and been so close. I know it is an

interesting thing from his camp, he pulled out of Eastbourne next week.

He was loath to do that. He's had such success at Eastbourne and loves

playing on grass. I think they genuinely believe his camp not only

can he win here but do serious damage at Wimbledon and he needs a

week off. I think they made the right decision. They have a full

house here. They have taken their seats early. It will be a good

final, a well-thought out final. Two grass court players who are playing

at their best, and both know that they need to come out and start off

quickly. Yes, so, right at the very start this match could be great. And

coming out with the players, they are brothers and sisters, part of

the August gone futures player -- of the Aegon futures players. They have

both won national tournaments in their age group. This is a big

moment. They will get a taste of what it is like to come out on a

Centre Court. He's having a chat, making her nervous. It is a bit

nervous. Everyone is looking forward to this match because we lost Murray

and Wawrinka and Raonic. All of those going out so early on. But

when you look at these two players with a match-up on grass, they are

two of the best on grass around. Absolutely. Don't forget this man

has won a Grand Slam title. Because people don't know him as well as the

top ones because he's in an era where we have Djokovic, Murray and

so on. He's one heck of a player. Both love this surface. They are

both experts on it. They know how to play. I agree with what Peter said

about the start, you better start quick. If you come out here and try

and fill your way in, if you go down a break of serve against either one

of these, the set is almost over because they are so brutal behind

their first serves. Their serving percentages has been amazing. 91% of

first serves in. And points won on the first serve. They've both got

such a big weapon. It will be hard to break. It will be difficult to

break. The overall for tie-breakers has to be around two here. We might

see, maybe one, two, maybe even three tie-breaks because they are so

dominant on serve. Interestingly, a nice little tip bit that I heard

just a moment ago, only two active players have won more grass court

matches than Feliciano Lopez. That's a pretty incredible stat. Roger

Federer and Andy Murray. He's won more grass court matches than any

other active player. He's admitting that he's probably in the best shape

now. He had an injury earlier in the year and lost a lot of matches.

Coming into form at the right time. I was talking to his agent an hour

ago. We were saying that he wishes the rest of the year was on grass.

Cilic looks so relaxed. He's been chatting with Stephanie, probably

all about her tennis. Coming out for a big final most athletes want to

get their game-face on. He looks like he's enjoying the occasion.

Interestingly last night he was waiting to go and play doubles. It

was threatening to rain. I asked him, are you going to move out on

the outside court? Are you going to play... ? I don't know. He was so

relaxed. It was like, I'll play when they tell me to play. I think he's

in a good place right now. Oh, here we go.

Throw it up! Feliciano Lopez has won the toss.

So a lovely photo. That's something for the album for the Viera family.

Well done to the children. I was talking earlier today, I said,

your man is playing well. He said, I have got him coming forward, got him

coming to the net. When you see him play it is almost to the baseline.

That is what we picked up from the start. Anything after that first

strike, you can see he's moving a foot to two feet inside the

baseline. Anything short, he gobbles it up, smacks it with a forehand and

comes in. You have to love the way he plays. So aggressive. Think when

he was 16/17 his forehand was his weakness. Not any more. That is what

I like. Two feet on the baseline, gives his opponent no time to breath

and he's on to him. And the serve sets it up. The big serve and then

he can move in. He knows that people can rarely attack... It is hard to

believe the first six, seven years of his career all he did was hit a

kicker, a heavy kicker, of course. When he started off a couple of

years ago, Goran said, are you crazy? You've got a potentially huge

weapon and you don't use it! He now uses it all the time. Let's hear

what he had to say yesterday. He spoke to Russell Fuller.

The last couple of months found consistency in my tennis, having

good results. Very consistent playing high-level tennis week after

week. That is what is paying off for me, especially this week. For me it

would mean a lot if I could win it here again. 2012, something

definitely positive. I got the title in the end. Not the way obviously

what I wanted, but you know, back this year. Again third final over

here in Queen's. Showing good form. Especially at this moment of the

year. Going to enjoy the final and hopefully I can get the trophy

again. You have had scraps with Feliciano over the years. Recently

you have got the better of him in a few matches? In the French Open, we

played a couple of weeks ago and here we have played a couple of

times in Queen. It is tight matches, just slight differences in those

ones. It will be definitely a tough one.

Yes, expecting a tough one. Look at his stats, 20 aces, 27 in all. Fired

47 winners yesterday. Most of them on his backhand. Big weapons, not

just the serve. He's looked at his forehand. You look, that is his big

go shot. You can see there, the semi-finals, obviously that was a

tough match, but other than that, he's been dominant. He's so

confident. He just backed up everything well. I like the way he

volleys. I agree with Peter, I think a lot of credit has to go to Goran.

He's not with him any more. I think he helped big time on his serve. At

that stage even throw his serve was good. It is almost a perfect serve

now. A couple of quotes in the paper today saying Goran has moved him

ahead of Murray. Beautiful to watch such variety in

his game. Now let's hear from Feliciano Lopez.

I know how tough it is to get to the finals of such a great tournament

like Queen's. I'm 35 years old, so I realise how difficult it is to get

there. It is very emotional right now to me. Reaching the finals of

Stuttgart last week, so it's everything that is happening for me

right now, it's really amazing. I'm enjoying the moment so much. That's

why I was pretty emotional. It's been a long way now. So many years

playing tennis. Now I am so happy with everything that is happening. I

try to enjoy this moment now because I know how difficult it is. And I'm

healthy and still competitive, so I didn't expect it to be, I didn't

expect to be in such good shape at my age, at 35 years old. So I feel

very pleased. I have another chance to win this beautiful tournament.

So, for me it is a gift already to be there.

Between him and Roger Federer, I think 35 is the new 25. Talking of

Federer. He took 53 minutes to beat Zverev. Both playing at their best.

Each time he's played Cilic on the grass he's won the first set. You

feel as though he will start well. When the body's tired you have to

keep yourself motivated. That makes a lot of sense. I think Lopez has

done such a great job of shutting out the people who say, well, you've

been a pedestrian player or an also-ran for so many years and time

to retire now. He's shut that out and that is why he's, first of all,

able to be fit this long, but secondly, playing probably the best

tennis of his life. It's, you know, credit to him that he's allowed

himself to continue on at such a pace. And also he's just such a

great competitor. He's proved that right through his career, but

particularly the last couple of weeks. Two or three setters in

Stuttgart, come from a break point down against Berdych earlier this

week. It shows he's so competitive when the big points count. He

certainly is. I thought his interview there, he was very humble

about reaching the finals. At his age he doesn't know how much longer

he's going to be in these type of events getting to the finals. If he

is tired, which I am sure he is when he woke up this morning, he will go

through the pain barrier. He doesn't know how much longer he'll be around

at this level and it is a gift. I love his attitude.

What is it going to do against Cilic, if Cilic is trying to rush?

He needs to make a lot of first serveand if he can hold serve when a

consistent basis, the pressure is off, he knows he will have a little

time to work with it. If he is missing a lot of first serves, he

will have to slice him out wide to try and approach as quickly as

possible, perhaps on the Cilic backhand. You know, he has a lot of

variety with his shots, but I'm not sure if he can actually ground

stroke with Cilic over and it's dented period of time. You know, he

has got to try to make the point is quick, I think. Just looking at

those horrible dark cloud over the clubhouse, I hope we will not have a

day like yesterday, the players scurrying on and off. We are all set

for the final, Lopez won yesterday against Dimitrov, and in the final

three years ago he had a match point and lost it against Cilic, four

years ago a match point and lost it, maybe fate is in his favour. Cilic

against Lopez, thank you, Peter, John Lloyd is on his way to join

Andrew Castle. Don't you even mention those dark

clouds, it says on my computer no chance of rain! It doesn't look like

no chance, but we will see. The final of Queen's this year, Cilic

versus Lopez. A good four, maybe five feet inside

the baseline, relatively short reply from Lopez dispatched. The wind is

left to right as you are looking, ten mph, swirly down at court

surface. Slightly easier for the right-hander

to serve from the far end on our main angle here. The Croatian camp,

Jonas Bjorkman there in the black hat.

That is a message right there. Retro-! Aide be serve a little bit

short, this is what is going to happen - I am coming in. -- hit the

serve a little bit short. Big kick-serve up to the Lopez

forehand side, just one missed volley, the chip charge from Lopez,

holds 230, both these players have just lost one service game, Cilic

against Muller, Lopez against Dimitrov in the semifinals. If they

had access to all the stats, and they do have access to the stats,

Cilic first-served placement - first serve points won, he likes to go out

wide a lot on the first serve. This is from Queen's, from this

tournament, 96% of first serve points won out wide. These are the

little things that coaches will notice. Small margins.

Watching for how fluidly Feliciano Lopez moves today, four 3- set

matches last week, two this week. That was a big serve, wasn't it? 137

serve, that is adrenaline. Out wide. He can mix that in so easily with

exactly the same ball toss, slide you down the middle on the deuce

court, but on the ad it would take you into the crowd, so a big ask to

break the Lopez serve. Parents flew in this morning.

To watch Feliciano with this opportunity to win this prestigious

title. He doesn't do that very often, serve

and volley, but makes it up again. -- mix. Especially when you know

that he is going to chip over it, you may get some high volleys to put

away. Cilic 2-1, then, the 2012 champion

here, but the biggest tournament he has ever won was the 2014 US Open,

only four major championships a year, and that really does define a

career. He beat Gilles Simon in the brutal

fourth-round match, took ages, as a lot of Simon matches do, then

Berdych, then Federer, then Nishikori in the final, who did not

play his best tennis, but a genuine Grand Slam champion, and now working

alongside Jonas Bjorkman, a former semifinalist at Wimbledon and the US

Open in cell. Talking to him this morning about the opportunistic net

rush as he wants to bring to the Cilic game, they are going to work

together about 23 weeks a year, in Stockholm and in Zagreb. They want

the ball toss in exactly the same place, not over the left-hand side

very much, Bjorkman says, if you get it in the same place, a little bit

further forward, you will be able to transition to the net quicker. He

has looked the form walls. I thought Dimitrov would be favoured after the

big names had gone out, but maybe I am wrong. -- he has looked the

former horse. Dimitrov's backhand was exposed in the third set with

Lopez, passing shots, errors when he was high up. Dimitrov just not

dealing with that shot very well, it is something he will be working on

in the next week before Wimbledon, that is for sure.

It will be Feliciano Lopez Pons 16th Wimbledon.

Oh, really?! I didn't think he had that shot! It looked straight over

to his coach afterwards, is that OK, is that what we're doing?!

Magnificent drop volley from that position.

That is where he has done so well this week, anything at all sure that

you can see he is already stepping into that one, take that ball on the

rise, takes a few steps in. Long day ahead for Marin Cilic, he

has got some doubles later on, he has got to finish a semifinal,

playing with Matkowski, the Polish player, the first time they have

played together against Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares, Murray and Soares

are up in the final set, that could be heading to a tie-break.

That is the semifinal, with Benneteau and Roger-Vasselin, the

Wimbledon runners up, waiting in the final.

Loves that serve. Slightly quicker action. Feels like

he can repeat that motion all day long.

Machine-like with that serve this week.

Phenomenal service record. Both guys appear to have lost one service

game. You can see why, just the first five games how dominant they

are behind their serves. Even if you get the ball back, there's one point

in the last Lopez serve that Cilic did so well. Got the ball back four

feet to the baseline and Lopez smacked the forehand away. If you

don't get the return back in the right place, it's done, anyway. The

pace that these players have now, the back-up they have towards, when

they have to back up their serve, the next shot and the first strike

is so good. That's little Santiago sitting on

his lap. That is his dad on the right-hand side. He owns a

restaurant, all the players go, there it is in Kensington. They

gather there, it is their informal clubhouse, if you like. Better not

name it. Although I'm dying to. It is really good.

They are playing a game. Probably just like Feliciano used to all

those years ago. He's a bigger boy now though is our Feliciano!

Just day in, day out, goes to work. Could easily have given away a

couple of these matches this week after last week's efforts, but not a

bit of it. See Cilic there getting up to that

ball, trying to hold it as long as he could before hitting it into the

side of the court he decides. He could have gone both ways, but he

thought that he had Lopez, but Lopez just read this beautifully.

9500 people here. One of the big changes at Queen's Club for this

year's tournament, that the seating on the right-hand side, behind Cilic

serving now. It's a huge stand to mirror the east stand, in fact even

taller. Didn't bounce at all. Don't know

whether that was because it hit the line because it had so much backspin

on. Just hear the exertion that makes on

these backhand slices. That one didn't come off at all.

First time we see love 30 in this match.

He helded that well. That was a very testing question. An examination of

the backhand, wasn't it? It was. What a rally, both players here.

Lopez trying to keep that ball deep, keeping it deep, finally gets the

chance for a beautiful approach shot.

Lovely adjustment with the hands, Lopez, to a difficult bounce. Just

sort of shoved it to the forehand side and said, pass me if you can,

and he couldn't. New tennis balls in the next game,

Lopez wouldn't mind serving with those with a break of serve.

Oh, now, hold on, there's a massive great mark, which we can actually

see and I think he's taken a bit of the back end edge of the line,

although it will be a challenge on Hawk-Eye. It's a perfect serve.

That's what that is. That ball is going to be a white one

now, not a yellow one any more. That's taken a couple of lines with

it. So, if he challenges and he's right

here, Lopez, that's fine. If he's not, it has to be a first serve,

doesn't it? He's not right. First serve.

Plenty of lines hit in that game. They've both come out and playing as

they played all week. Just tidy, playing to the percentages. 0-30

situation, producing great serves and producing great points. A tough

match. This is what it is to be a professional.

Just so sharp. 0-30 Lopez had, a fabulous approach shot. Cilic goes

to hit that backhand pass, not much room to aim down-the-line. It was

low and he hit it absolutely perfectly, otherwise he have been

down 0-40. When you have confidence there's no hesitation on those

shots. You think you'll make them. Through a loss of confidence those

are the ones you hesitate on and you invariably miss.

If you want to get in touch with us, please do. We will pick them up and

observations if you are enjoying the tennis. If you're not, don't. So

Wimbledon, just eight days ago. The chairman of the All-England Club

and his wife, Jill, next door to him. A Yorkshire county player. He's

got knees like yours, John, a bit. Are they hurting a bit? Poor chap! I

wouldn't wish that on anybody! Another great Yorkshire sportsman in

here today. You have to start off ten seconds

before he hits the serve to yet that. Ridiculous. What an angle.

Serious punch on these forehands from Lopez.

Never quite in the top ten of the world, Feliciano Lopez. A high of

number 12 a couple of years ago. Currently ranked at 32. On grass,

top ten. They don't have different rankings

for the different surfaces, but if they did, he would be better than

32, for sure. Where was that angle from?! Short

and off, off forehand up the court. He doesn't use that body serve very

much, Cilic, but very effective there.

Well, we have talked about how difficult it is to break serve,

especially on a grass court, when players are in the form like this,

but Lopez particularly, his serve has always been legendary. But just

to sort of illustrate that, with the help of Hawk-Eye, down the left-hand

side, the one down the middle coming in at 130 mph plus, the one out wide

sliding, still 120 mph. Look at the distance that you have to cover when

receiving another left-hand side, you have to rely on your instinct to

go one way or the other, 6.8 metres. And this is impossible to do, like a

well taken penalty, it is a good analogy, you cannot save it, so you

have to wait for your opportunities and then take them if they present

themselves. Unless you cheat one way or the other, but against Lopez that

is difficult, because he is so accurate, he will pop its down the

line you are not on. It is almost impossible, both players are so

sharp in this match at the moment, but having said that, Lopez did have

loved 30 on the Cilic serve, and only a brilliant passing shots saved

him from love for deep. -- saved him from 0-40. They will both carry on

thinking they can break, but it is so difficult.

Need some dark glasses. Already got two wristbands from Lopez this week

after wins. Oh yes, final length. And now 0-30

opportunity the other way, against Lopez. He has had to defend two

second serves in this game so far. And that is away, and now three

break points, which are set points. And that is wide, he may or may not

challenge, having a quick look, but he has lost his serve to love and

the third set as well, Cilic is sticking around by his baseline, but

I think it will be confirmed that Lopez hooked that one just wide,

yeah, first set over in this Queen's Club final, 34 minutes, the first

set to the Croatian. Peter, we see that so often, you

have a chance on somebody else's serve, then it goes. It is a

momentum thing, Lopez started so well, Cilic hit an amazing passing

shot at 0-30, a couple of great serves to bail himself out of

trouble. But then it switched, the Croatian taking the ball early,

essentially just hitting winners, hitting winners constantly. That is

one of the few unforced errors that Lopez has made in set. Poor game by

Lopez standards. It probably was, and when the momentum shifts, it is

a tough thing to come back. It just shows that the mental side of tennis

is so important, it is frustrating for players, isn't it? It certainly

is, and of course Lopez has played so many ebbing and flowing matches

over his career that we have to assume that he will come out of the

gates quickly again in set number two. Look at that, Cilic coming in

more than Lopez, really trying to attack. Absolutely, and not so much

the net points won, but the points that he has won on first shots after

a serve or after a return, really aggressive right off the bad. And

looking at unforced errors, Cilic playing so well, this has been the

way right through the tournament, such high-quality tennis, not making

that many errors. Absolutely right, hitting the ball hard, going for the

lines, still making very few unforced errors, although his first

serve percentage was only at 53. Other than that, it was about as

good a set as Cilic can play. As you can see, he has left the court, but

Lopez, he has just got to try and regroup, you have lost the first

set, but you feel like you have been the better player. You have got to

find a way to turn it around and not let any sort of mishap happened

early in the second set. Absolutely right, and you have to remember that

he wants to push it out of his mind, body has to be fatigued, both and

mentally. He is up against it now. Interesting, we were talking about

the odds for Wimbledon, who is going to win, Federer, Nadal, they are

split between who they think is the favourite, because a lot of people

think Rafael Nadal is playing the best tennis, but they may change

their minds when they see the results from Halle, he has swept

aside Alexander Zverev in 53 minutes, one of the up and coming

players, 6-1, 6-3. That is pretty impressive, Peter, isn't it? It is,

spirit is dependent on his first serve, and Federer is so great at

putting them back into play. Grassick is not yet Zverev's best

surface, but it shows what an incredible talent he is after not

playing for three four months. This man is playing the best grass court

tennis he has ever played, the last few years he has been in the

quarterfinals at Wimbledon. If he doesn't let this whole thing go to

his head, he is in with a shout, he has got to be in with the first

handful of favourites. We are ready for the second set, let's rejoin

John and Andy. ANDREW CASTLE: Thank you for getting in touch using

#bbctennis, someone saying it is like two fencers at work, lunch and

thrust! Look at that, super Sunday outfit! Cilic bounces the ball even

more times than Djokovic, I have noticed that. He does it quicker

between points, quite a lot of urgency between points, and he

doesn't go over the time. Daniel says, good to see different people

in the final four change. In any other period, Cilic would probably

have won more than one slam, probably right. Murray probably

would have won more than three. Thank you for all of that, and onto

the second set we go. Remember, Cilic likes to go out wide with his

first ball, let's see if he does this time. Change-up.

REFEREE: Mr Lopez is challenging the call.

The call stands. Lopez keeps holding one of these shots will be out, but

unfortunately for him, Cilic is finding those pesky white things.

That is what the lines are put on the court for, to hit them.

It was always said that if Bjorn Borg here today lying, he would

consider it a mistake, because he would hit so far inside the line. If

he actually went all the way to the line!

Well, it was a weak notable for the big names losing pretty ill,

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost in the second round against Muller, Stan

Wawrinka, the French Open finalist, lost to Feliciano Lopez in the first

round, 7-6, 7-5. Raonic lost against Kokkinakis, Murray lost to the

Australian lucky loser, Jordan Thompson, 7-6, 6-2, on day two.

Cilic feels like this is his time right now. He does.

Change his tactic and serve-volleying, done it both times.

Has to use it as a surprise tactic. If he does it too often Cilic just

picks it. Well I don't think he has to, if he

really looks at things, his tactics have been very good, Lopez. He just

played one sloppy game. It wasn't because he needed to do Something

Special to hold on to his serve. Almost a sign of a, a slight sign of

panic, I've got to try something different. He played one game with

his serve went off. Other than that he was pretty immaculate. I don't

know why he's charging in all the time now.

It is interesting there, he had a couple of chances. I think he was

shellshocked after the passing shots that Cilic's been throwing at him.

Normally Lopez would have been in on two of those backhands and chipped

the ball and then moved backwards again.

There was a chance. Off a 133 miles per hour serve.

Flown all the way over from Spain this morning, just to see you lose,

sonny boy. You keep holding in front of mum and dad.

Wow! He's still in it. The crowd have really taken to him this week.

They love him, anyway. He is just one point away against

Dimitrov, a match point in the final here, back in 2014. One point away

from winning. Justine margins on a grass court. So

different from the preceding months on clay.

Totally different. This transition to grass is difficult to make. These

two have certainly made that. So, what will the players do ahead

of Wimbledon for practise? Practise and working on technical parts of

the game, not always necessary, is it? Keeping the engine going -

fine-tuning. He's not playing Eastbourne now, is he? It depends

who you are. Someone like Dimitrov will definitely spend some time

working on his backhand, as an example. Of if you look at Lopez,

whether he wins or loses this final, there's nothing wrong with his game,

at all. And the same with Cilic. I think in Lopez's case and Cilic,

they will definitely take a couple of days off, just to get the mind,

just the exertion it puts on you mentally. Thaft they'll start to do

some -- after that they'll start to do some drills. Start to ease off a

bit. Do a couple of hard days. Certainly by Friday, maybe Saturday,

then you would start to taper down, getting ready to play five sets, if

necessary, on Monday and not overplay. It is all a question of

timing. It's such a science these days, they know exactly how many

calories to eat and this and that. And where their bodies should be and

what sort of, you know, condition they should be at what stage. So

they know all this. In our days it was eat French fries before you

play, touch my toes or close to it. And if hungry, eat. Doesn't matter

what it is! Really look at Lopez, what does he

have to work on or change? They're ready to go.

The qualifying starts. It's on the red button. Have a look at that.

Join us. Tomorrow.

Tsm this was the shot here, just nudged that one back with his

backing. Got himself back into the middle of the court and takes over

with the big forehand. That was nicely taken. Stops the

ball from going into the bar. A bit of team work getting it back on the

court. Smart work on the boundary there.

Just holds his pose at the end of an ace.

Carries himself around the court. Definitely slows down when he's won

a point. The adoring gaze of the tennis fans

on him. When you get this break... That's a

start. A return like that, anything's

possible. Still manages to hit that sort of

return. Puffing his chest out. 0-15 is half

a chance with these serves. Rolled that backhand very nicely.

Not a great strength of Lopez's. With a target, he can hit it.

Just a little bit conservative there, Lopez, on a couple of

forehands early on in that rally. It is like he was thinking, I don't

want to miss this, instead of going for the big shot, getting himself

into a position where he could attack the net.

Low ball. Lopez will challenge. Didn't see the Lopez challenge

straightaway, but he did hold his hand up.

Worth a look. Once again Cilic fighting back from

a 0-30 situation. That was an important passage of

play. 3-2 up. Every time he's had to win a

sequence of points this tournament, he has, hasn't he, Cilic. It's the

positive that's been given. His coach was one of the most positive

players out there. To get to number four in the world, playing like he

did was remarkable and he did it with great will power. Amazing

hand-eye co-ordination. Great returns and volleys. He was a

fabulous player. A fabulous singles play as well as doubles. One of the

last to be top in the fields. I notice Cilic is playing doubles

after this with Matkowski. A A lot of other players would,

maybe after playing a round and still in the doubles have given it a

gentle, don't really mind too much if I don't win this match, but not

Cilic. He wants to win this one as well, the doubles. He was out there

late when Lopez was as well, Lopez-Dimitrov, finished late due to

some rain. Cilic was playing doubles at the same time. Could easily have

given it away. Philippoussis won the doubles and

singles here last time in 2007. The last time anybody did the double.

The venerable old clubhouse, a multisports complex, Queen's Club,

the first such club in the world, really, international football went

to Wembley, rugby to Twickenham, the running to White City. They used to

be a cinder track around the outside of Queen's Club.

Five straight points now for Cilic, he has got the momentum here.

Just wide! Superb. This is something that Cilic wouldn't have done, sneak

in the way he did here. He would not have done that a year two ago, I

don't think. That is an instinct, he knew exactly when the time was to

make the charge into the net. Improved in that category.

APPLAUSE UMPIRE: New balls, please.

Tough hold. This week was notable for so big names going out early, I

don't think the tennis other too much, we saw the arrival of Daniil

Medvedev, and a Canadian left-hander, keep an eye on him when

the draw comes out, wonderful tennis player. Also noticeable for some bad

news this week with confirmation through a press conference that Dan

Evans, the British number three, world number 50, the 27-year-old,

tested positive for cocaine in April in Barcelona, so he awaits his fate.

That could well be the end of his career. Certainly, there will be a

ban announced later this year, just bringing you up to speed with that

news. Remember when Djokovic had the yips

on his serve? He would sometimes bounce it for 40 times, he got

stuck, couldn't release it! Could be there until the beginning of next

year's tournament! Ireland when Sergio Garcia, in golf, was

re-gripping, couldn't get the club back to hit the thing. -- I remember

when. Women's tennis on the BBC One from

Eastbourne next week, we have got the red button qualifying event

going on for the Championships which start on Monday week.

Picking a winner in the women's championship is a little bit harder

than it has been in the past, Serena Williams absent this year, expecting

her first child, wishing her well. Petra Kvitova coming back, twice a

champion, fantastic views, fending off a burglar at home over the

Christmas and New Year period, she injured herself and needed surgery.

She is back and OK. Not an easy thing to recover from. No, the

trauma there, often the actual wound, someone coming into a place

like that, having to defend yourself, unbelievable. I thought,

from a tennis point, she wouldn't have enough tennis to make a serious

challenge at Wimbledon, but playing so well this week, being in a final,

that has changed, you would have to put her in the mix for Wimbledon in

a week's time. About 15 women could make it this year, it is going to be

fascinating. These Speaker of the House of

Commons, John Bercow, he was a good player, number one seed in the under

12 nationals in 1975! At Devonshire Park.

Oh! What a serve.

Robert George has been on Twitter, he says, does anyone else think

Lopez looks like Bradley Cooper? Michael Bolton was always the

similarity in the old days. Enjoying this final, deep in the

second set 4-4. He loves to have a chat to his

player's box, Feliciano Lopez, you could never accuse anybody of unfair

coaching - he is the one doing the talking!

Oh, I thought he had made that, a change of tactics are coming onto

the forehand. He has certainly stayed away from that shot when it

has come into the net. So Marin Cilic is one game away from

winning this tournament again, as he did in 2012 in quite controversial

circumstances, against David Nalbandian, you will remember.

We might still have a decider. Let me show you what we have got coming

up, marking your card for the tennis from Roehampton, we will be there

with Mary Pierce, actually, from 11am, John. Thanks foretelling the!

Red button on that. Eastbourne, down on the south coast. That coverage

starts from two o'clock on BBC Two, so three hours of us, and then BBC

Two. Now this will be fantastic, Sue Barker has been swanning around the

world talking to some of the finest tennis players ever, I think she has

enjoyed it, and we will enjoy that next Sunday, the day before

Wimbledon on BBC One. And then some tennis tournament! Monday week, the

Championships at Wimbledon, BBC TV, BBC Radio, online. We are going to

have 13 great days of tennis. Andy Murray opening the programme on

Centre Court, 1pm, the first day. UMPIRE: Thank you. Play.

Loved the way he hit that backhand from the baseline. The forehand that

came out of it at such a ferocious speed. Low on the knees, lobbed it

back. No backswing. Well done, well done, Lopez. A long

week. Excellent transtracing. And you're right, it 's like a

batsman taking full delivery, wasn't it, that return. Holding the pose,

relying on technique. Beautifully done.

Could have got that as well. . He knew that as well. As soon as it

went past him, I think he knew that would drop inside the line.

Take that... No it's going out. Where did that line come from? I

swear it was further to the left. No chance of any rain today, said

the forecast. The clouds remaining high. They look a little bitumen

facing, but no rain expected here today.

Hello, that R 2D 2 thing. You are not supposed to point. It is

wandering along its track, picking up all the photographers. I didn't

see them in that particular section. Such valiant work with Marin Cilic.

Can really see the effect that has been had, knowing the way he played.

Working together since last August. All the players in town and settled

in flats and houses around Wimbledon and nearby.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE That is just inside Feliciano is feeling a little

bit tired. What a pick-me-up that was! What a lovely is exception for

him. -- a lovely reception for him! The crowd know what Lopez has been

through. It is part of the story, how much tennis he's played, 35

years of age, bound to be hurting. It was a good effort recover from

that far out wide. He keeps going over, eventually hitting the track

and the tram line. A great effort. The crowds love tie-breaks. The

first of seven, of course. Has not played a tie-break all week.

Lopez certainly has. Lopez, 80% on his first serve in

this set. 80%. Very close, this one.

Definitely worth a challenge. That little outpour from the crowd,

when he came out to serve 5-6. 4-1 w a couple of breaks, is a big

lead. There's only one man in this

breaker. People do like to these shoot out

exchanges, don't they? Keep an eye out at the end of the year, where

they play tie-breaks with 3-3. There are tie-break tens which work well

as well. People like to see the end of sets, when it really comes down

to it. Lopez, 5-1. And it is away.

Lopez is refusing to lose again. Tremendous. I'm glad we have a

decider. No disrespect to Marin Cilic, but it

feels right that the tournament comes down to a single set somehow.

He looks like he could get on a drip there, John.

80% first service Pau Lopez. He is barely getting his racket on those

serves. Wonderful start to the tie-breaker. It all started when he

arrived after playing three, four set matches last week in Stuttgart.

Last in the final to Pui. Cilic not exactly serving badly. No

double faults from either player so far. Look at Lopez, twice as many

unforced errors and Cilic had double the winners, but he still lost the

set. Cilic, watching him, it is almost like he knows OK, I am

playing great. He just served out of his mind, you will still think he

can break in this set. He is not unduly worried. This guy keeps

coming at you all the time and refuses to go away. Draped in the

Spanish flag. This man here has been on four winning Davis Cup teams for

Spain. As a 17-year-old was in a Davis Cup final. 25,000 people

watching. Bearing in mind, this enormous structure here, 9500. The

Americans were the visitors. Succumbed after a good fight.

Experience both ends of the court. Enjoyed the decider.

So good. Change of pace, couple of slices and then comes over the

backhand with a lot of pace. Attacks beforehand. A lot of variation in

his game. Joy to watch on this surface. What a passing shot.

Unbelievable. Look how far wide he was. Ben that round the outside of

the ball and curled it in. This is why people don't volley any more. So

much more accurate, helped by the strings and the racket, of course.

Unbelievable. It is going his way. It really is. Hit the slice, hit the

line and doesn't bounce. Cilic is going really? Dominating the rally.

Has he made a Challenger, Lopez? He has been wrong a lot. He had a bad

run going in the second set. That is one thing he can work on in his

game, challenges. Did you see that? The ball went up

in the air. Jonas Bjorkman could have caught that, but he left it to

let the man next to him catch it. And he missed it. He used to have

the celebration at the end where he would grab his toe, it was a real

hamstring structure. I thought he had cramp when he did that first

time. Then I realise no, he's just flexible. The planting at Queen's

Club has been lovely. It has been noted. Wait until you see Wimbledon.

It is gorgeous. Donor who does it here, but Martin Faulkner does the

planting at Wimbledon. -- don't know.

The way he hit that valley, Cilic. There was no messing around with

this. Not that easy, the way he punched that one out. Didn't get it

as wide as he would like necessary but has a really good technique on

that forehand volley. 28 outdoor courts here. 12 grass

courts, ten indoor. Largely being used for hospitality. Couple of real

tennis courts as well, free squash courts. All eyes on this 9500 seat

stadium. New tennis balls Pau Lopez. UMPIRE: Mr Cilic is challenging the

call. The ball was called in. The call stands. 30-15.

He will be annoyed there. What is he complaining about? Was and he put

off from the ball girl, perhaps still moving at the net. Not much

you can do, they have done a good job. Certainly heightened senses

from both players as this contest, which is a crescendo. -- reaches a

crescendo. SUE BARKER: we can update you with

scores from elsewhere. Great for Petra Kvitova, she came from behind

to beat Ashley Darty 46 macro, 6-3, 6-2. It is her first since her

comeback. She has asked for a wildcard into Eastbourne, which is

great news for the tournament. In the opening round, Heather Watson

has had a very good win. She has battled a 3-set match. Now back to

this match. COMMENTATOR: Grey news for Petra Kvitova. Dreadful incident

that was for her. Here is another leftie, knows his way around the

grass court. Feliciano Lopez. So many great champions over the years

here, including Marin Cilic, champion in 2012, run up to Andy

Murray in 2013. He was unable to go beyond the third -- first-round. He

treated a picture with his gold medal from the Olympics. I don't

think it will affect Andy Murray's preparation for Wimbledon. He would

have liked some matches, but it wasn't to be. He has done enough

winning to know how to get the job done.

So quick up to this ball. Right on it to, his right foot. Took that

early. UMPIRE: Game Cilic.

APPLAUSE Cilic made it himself there, because

when he gets a second serve for a chance to return, it's such a bonus

thapd one was not. The second serve, just dragged that

backhand from the net. May be better on this one.

Two in a row. Both of them on his backhand.

It is only an advantage if you hold. He's 3-2 up.

??FORCEWHITE STUDIO: And you know Peter, you'll

only get the odd chance now and again, and you have to take it.

Exactly right. Cilic has faced one break point. Saved it in the first

set. Because he's been so dominant on serve throughout this match that

that must take its toil on Lopez a little bit as the match wears on.

Yet Lopez in set number two served 80% first serves in F even though he

missed a few first serves in this set has still held serve and held

serve in the way he's played all week and the last two weeks. Can you

bet against him? And we talked about him at the start of the show,

talking about how competitive he is in big situations. Towards the end

of that second set he raised his level right through that tie-break.

He really did. So there is no favourite in this match. It will

come down to nerve. Who manages to hold his nerve better and who

manages to come up with a terrific shot in the right moment? Because

neither one of them will give it away. It is lovely to watch the

style of play. The big hitting of Cilic. But Lopez in that last game,

that lovely volley that he took the pace off, just let it slide away. It

is lovely to watch. It is. Lopez is so consistent off the ground that it

is incredible he can stay with Cilic for so long in each round. OK, thank

you, Peter. Nobody had a better view of that

ball than Marin Cilic. Just been such a feature today from

both players when they, not they've been 0-15 down that many times, when

they hit a serve on the line or just close to it.

Pretty intense decider. Tournaments have known many guises. It started

as the London court championships. It has known great winners,

competitors and great memories. It has been built up up by great

tournament directors. Stephen Farrow at the moment.

One of those former is Ian White, who sadly passed away just last

month. His wife and daughters are here as guests of the tournament

today. Lopez hit that ball so flat and so

hard. It just flipped up off the net Yes, sorry about that. Would like

another ten more of those. Wouldn't fancy 30-30.

Now they're going for Lopez. Cilic with mounting frustration

here. If it does come down to neither

player giving it away and I hope that is the case, I think it has to

be said that the green has been with Lopez. It has been like that all

week. Remember the point he played against Berdych. Berdych hit an

unbeliefable return. Somehow he found an angle on his backhand which

went for a clean winner. Sometimes it feels like destiny. It is the

first time the Cilic reaction we've had... He's been very patient, the

little one. The first time Cilic looked at his box there and just

frustration. He's been so in the moment and I think in his mind he

would find a way to break serve and he's got closer, but he can't seem

to find a way and then the net cord and it just, he just slightly got

frustrated there at the end oh game. -- at the end of this game. He's got

to put it out of his mind because now we're getting to the business

end of this match and the set. One sloppy game and goodbye! He's a very

gentle fellow, but he's got a very menacing look sometimes. He's got

the hypester beard going. He's been playing with great intent. Must

concentrate now. There you go!

Surprise tactic. Is he vulnerable, this game?

He drove that slice. Really hit it. Yes he did. See the way the ball

checked. Goes to hit this one, dropped about a foot lower than it

would have normally. Gold star for Marin Cilic. Thomas

Bjorn menu he was under pressure there, his man. Keeping his

composure nicely, Marin Cilic. Ace number 16 for Lopez. Game full

of aces, Cilic, 15. Three straight. Lopez at five bash for, just four

points away. The importance of the first point in

the game. Cilic catching the top of the net on the backhand and showing

that frustration. You might think it is only one point, but it set the

base for a game. On graphs, -- grass, the game can go so quickly.

Rather furrowed brow the moment. This is sharpening the sensors ahead

of Wimbledon and everything beyond. Certainly is, tough match. Great

champions here over the years of course. Only 15-time champion, Andy

Murray. -- one, five-time champion. You can see the flags, those dark

clouds are going the other way, which is good news.

Lopez, who has had a match point to win this championship in the past

against Dimitrov, three years ago. Is closing in on success here. The

crowd are pretty plugged into the Spaniard.

What is served. Second serve. Again, it caught the line, digs in and the

spin reacts. Second serve ace. That second surveys on the first

point, again absolutely critical. It is a love hold. How did it happen?

By playing a gutsy first point. What a strike from that position on

the court. No hesitation on the shot. Very good return of serve.

Look how far he is outside the tramline.

There is a bag just hovering in the air. Plastic shopping bag, just

hovering. It's not changing altitude at all. It is just levitating above

the court. There we go. Whatever happens, that will be the

last regular service game for Feliciano Lopez this tournament. It

has been a magnificent serving display. Has only lost his serve

twice in the whole tournament. Brilliant effort. We do have

tie-breaks in deciding sets, would you be a fan of that, John? Yes, in

the men's game, otherwise, it is fun to watch or you could have more John

Isner and Nicolas Mahut matches if he didn't have a tie-break. Plus,

also the crowd loved tie-breaks. You have to think of the entertainment

value, it is not just what the player wants, it is about the crowd

as well. One bad shot, or one great winner wins the whole thing. Cilic

hasn't lost his serve here, but could still lose the match. Easily.

Taking a little bit of carbohydrate on board. One more service game and,

well I say hopefully we would have a tie-break. It would seem right. The

players will get a good hand as they come out for this final game. New

tennis ball for Marin Cilic to serve with. Doesn't always feel so

comfortable. It favours the server, generally speaking. But if they

return gets hold of the couple, it can shoot off the surface.

Certainly reacts off the surface. See that slice. It would have gone

through the court more than the other balls and takes the ball

further into the swing of Cilic. He caught it late. It goes in the net.

Both players have done this so well. They have reacted to danger. 0-15,

we have seen it with them. It is unlikely they serve an ace or an

unreturnable. It is quite amazing. Hit that forehand to the wrong place

there, Cilic. Had to react very well to cut that volley off.

Looked like he was going to go out to the back and went straight to the

Lopez forehand. That was one heck of a volley to hit, at this stage of

the match, in particular. Look at that beautiful technique.

Stayed low. A nice feel. Head close to the ball.

What a game he's played from 0-15. Ten aces in this set alone.

A breaker is at hand, it would seem. Two game points to take us there.

There you go. 20 aces for the match. A great display of serving from both

players in regular play. It comes down to this tie-break. And Cilic

will want to start quicker than he did in set two. So the tournament

rests on this. The wind has picked up in the last

15-20 minutes. Hear it from the flags and the supports.

That's the reply. Completely wrong-footing. Cilic moving to the

backhand side there, expecting more of the percentage play from Lopez.

Cilic does start better than the second tie-break.

Hit it long. He did well to move his feet to adjust to a low ball from

him earlier on. That is a miss. That is, you can call it an unforced

error, but not really with the whole tournament on the line. Should have

made it. Again a strong reaction after that

missed forehand. Two straight service holds. Pressure

reverts to Cilic. 2-3. Oh, that's superb. That's just

fantastic play from Cilic. Second set tie-break. When they

changed it was all over, it was 5-1 to Lopez. This is a totally

different affair. Played at Queen's Club before. Cilic

has won both of those in three sets. I was going to say, that was the

longest I've ever seen. Still hasn't served it.

Bravo! The wind was gusting down on the court. It was gusting. He was

waiting for it to fall, wasn't he? I can only assume. It kept going on

and on and on. But didn't he do well to maintain his composure after a

time warning there. We don't like the umpire to do that at the end of

the tie-break. But he had no choice, it went on for so long. What a

backhand pass, though. It is very gusty down there. Hold on... Still

get a code violation. He's going to get one if he's not careful, too.

Cilic is looking at him. It doesn't matter if it's windy. Doesn't

matter. You've got the time and that's the end of that - 25 seconds.

It is better do that if you want to buy some time and wait for a gust.

Look! Off his backfoot, a little hop at the end. What a shot! And hold

that pose! That's beautiful, too! I can't

believe Lopez hit the drop shot there - the first time in the match

he's done so. Look at that! A good shot. He didn't have quite enough

time to get into the net close enough after it.

Well done, Cilic. Yes! We said at the start of the

match he loves that serve. Nobody giving an inch in this tie-break.

Fabulous contest. A 21st ace from Cilic takes him to

Championship Point. Now his turn for a Championship

Point. He's had one of these before, remember. Not in this match.

He threw a lob up into the sky where the paper bags fly in the middle of

that rally. Come on, my son. Cool as a cucumber, that is. Lopez

was praying for Cilic to make a mistake. His first serve was well

wide. Probably the worst serve in the whole match on his first serve.

Missed it by mile. Extra adrenaline, I suppose.

131 miles an hour, onto the line. 15 minute tie-break, it is an absolute

beauty. Lopez, with another match point.

Feliciano Lopez has seen match points come and go here before. This

time, he's the champion. Who would have thought he would have come back

and done this. What a wonderful story. Mum and dad flew in this

morning, it was worth it. Coach and his doubles partner and

great friend, Marc Lopez. Friends in the box throughout this week and mum

and dad here. What a fantastic final to finish, what has been a most

interesting week. We will read when all the big names went out. Fear

not. He was supposed to lose to Stan Wawrinka, he didn't. Beat Tomas

Berdych. Could have lost to Grigor Dimitrov, but got the job done. Then

he was championship point down to Marin Cilic, but came through.

Fabulous. Poor old Marin Cilic, you do remember those matches when you

have the chance, specially on the championship point. He didn't lose

his serve, did he. Lost the match. On Court to greet the presentation

party, Stephen Farrow, tournament director, a gun Championships. --

Aegon championship. Welcome Adrian Grace, the CEO of Aegon, the

chairman of the Queen's Club. Martin Currie, president of the Lawn Tennis

Association. To receive and Magnum of Moet

champagne from Stephen trophy and trophy from Adrian Grace, the

runner-up, Marin Cilic. APPLAUSE

It wasn't to be. Two championship efforts in three years, but a

wonderful tournament the Marin Cilic, who manages to smile under

difficult circumstances. That was truly, gem of a final and

the wonderful tie-break, one of the best we have ever seen. It is times

like this it is a shame someone has to lose a match. But you threw

everything at Feliciano? It was high-level tennis, and was a

pleasure to play again in front of this amazing crime. It was an

amazing final. It was definitely high quality. I had chances in the

second set to be a break-up, and Feliciano was playing well.

Congratulations to him, he plays well on grass and he deserves the

title. Well said. We know you look playing here and you have played

some great tennis so you must feel as though you are ready for

Wimbledon. Definitely, I played great tennis this week, I have

enjoyed every day. I am still in the double so I will be back on the

court later. Hopefully I will get a trophy today. It has been an amazing

week, great preparation for Wimbledon and always a pleasure to

play here at the Queen's Club. That doubles match may be sooner than you

think, it may be just a few minutes. You played a fantastic match and a

fantastic tournament, all the best for Wimbledon. Ladies and gentlemen,

Marin Cilic. APPLAUSE

To receive Moet champagne from Stephen Farrow and the Aegon

championship trophy from Adrian Grace, the 2017 champion, Feliciano

Lopez. APPLAUSE

Also the small matter of ?347,000. Magnificently prepared courts.

Stephen Farrow, the tournament director has done a wonderful job.

And here is this trophy which is quite sizeable. Been held up by so

many great champions over the years. Rod Laveau, in 62, Roy Emerson,

Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe. Boris Becker, who could forget 1985. Ivan

Mendel, Stefan Edberg. Poor players do not win here.

Feliciano Lopez is the champion. You are only saying yesterday it would

be a dream to win this title, how did it feel to lift the trophy? I

cannot believe I have finally won this trophy. I have been waiting so

long, 15, 16 years to be here holding this trophy. I thought by

the end of the tie-break, after losing a few match points, I would

not be able to make it. But I was lucky. I won today and I want to

congratulate my toughest opponent today. Best of luck for Wimbledon.

U-boat played your part in a fantastic final. You mention the

match points because you had a match point a few years go against

Dimitrov, it did that come to your mind again? It was so difficult, to

be there and handle my nerves. Finally I was able to today. I am so

happy today. Many people like watching you here. You must have

felt the support today? Yes, this place is amazing, thank you guys for

coming through the whole week and you have been supporting me every

year and it is amazing to play in this club. It is an honour and a

pleasure to play on this court. It was a difficult start to the year,

do you feel now you are playing your best tennis right now? Rightly, it

is tough to believe that at 35 years old I am playing my best tennis, but

yes I am. Nothing wrong with that. Your parents flew in for the final,

I think they are enjoying it now but I think it was a nervous afternoon?

Yes, they came for the final and also my agent and other friends. I

would like to thank my whole team, from my coach, my friends and my

parents. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Since we

started working together, it has been very successful and I hope it

continues the same way. To my friends, thank you, you guys are

amazing, supporting me every single year here in London. It feels like

home. It is because of you. Can we thank you for everything you have

done for this tournament and for a great final. Stephen, you guys are

amazing, a great effort to achieve the best 500 event of the year. You

got better this year, so there is no work for you now in the future! So,

many congratulations. It is definitely one of the best

tournament in the world. We look forward to seeing you next year, so

good luck at Wimbledon, you must feel ready for that now? There is no

better preparation going into Wimbledon, to win here and to play

Wimbledon in a couple of weeks, it is a great feeling. I don't want to

forget Aegon, the main sponsor and for their support over the years and

that other tournaments. I hope to see you next year guys, thank you

for everything. Enjoy the celebration, ladies and gentlemen,

Feliciano Lopez. COMMENTATOR: the pictures that will

be in the newspapers and online, good works from both Marin Cilic and

Feliciano Lopez. Cannot be easy for Marin Cilic, who has going to come

out now and play doubles. It looks like going to deciding tie-break

there. There is wonderful trophy. So many memories, Lleyton Hewitt, Andy

Murray, the five-time champion. Marin Cilic is on there from 2012.

The infamous final when David Nalbandian was disqualified.

Feliciano Lopez, will be playing his 16th Wimbledon championship on

Monday week. So much tennis ahead. There will be a different atmosphere

at Roehampton. The weather forecast is in great from the middle of the

week towards the end. Certainly had a hot summer this week for four

days. He is not the first Spaniard, left-handed Spaniard to raise this

trophy above his head. Rafael Nadal has been in this position. Who knows

how far Lopez will go at the Championships.

I don't think anybody has won a tournament this year saving match

points in two matches. That is what he's done this week. It is a rare

achievement. You will remember the match point against Tomas Berdych,

the number seven seed. Match point, despite a superb

return from Berdych. A spectacular week. Confirming the prize money.

Well the points are 500 points. 300 to the runner up. That will make a

big difference to the ranking. ?347,000 as well. I saw him arrive

on Monday morning, from Stuttgart having three 4 set matches last

week. And he did look absolutely exhausted. He's brought his best

tennis here and he's the champion. Wonderful. That's his biggest

supporter. I hope you've enjoyed the tennis. I will leave you with Sue

Barker, who has made her way back to the studio.

I have. Just watching him on the court, it means so much to him. He

always plays his best tennis here. He's been so close to winning the

championship. Make no mistake, this is a huge title to win. Look at the

name, the tennis greats who have won this in the past. This is a moment

he'll never forget. John, how impressed were you with that

tie-break? The standard was incredible. It was incredible. When

you consider how windy it was out there. It really just, just... I'm

amazed they played as well as they did. So few unforced errors. Also,

John, it was very windy out there and to be able to play this standard

of tennis with this control just shows how bold they are. They are

both so sharp right now, apart from the physical exhaustion. They are

peaking... They are magnificent. The rallies were ridiculous. The gets

they were getting. I mean, look at that stretch! And you just wonder...

The crowd were on their feet. This was just an incredible way to end

the torn. We came here thinking when we lost some of the big names, what

would we do? We were treated to a wonderful final. This, one of the

greatest tie-breaks you will ever see on a tennis court. As I said out

there, it is a shame that one had to lose. It was unbelievable. Marin

Cilic did not lose his serve today and loses the finals. He played

brilliantly. I agree with you, it was one of the best tie-breakers I

have ever seen. It was extraordinary. Point after point.

And this was the big chance that you have to say, well played Marin Cilic

here. Bjorkman trying to get him to come

forward, keep attacking and he did that a match point down. That is

right. That was not so good. One of the few mistakes he made all day

long. It was a high-quality match all the way throughout.

And Marin Cilic, he's such a good player on this. You have to say

walking away from this, you have to pat him on the back and say, you

didn't really do anything wrong, maybe that last shot was about the

only thing that went wrong. He loses the final. As I say, didn't lose his

serve. What will his coach say to that? Well, you did everything you

could. It came down literally to one point. You could easily have won it.

In some ways looking at the stats you could have said he was the

slightly better player today. It all comes down to the tie-breaker and in

that Lopez was amazing on a couple of extra shots. He was getting

emotional talking about his team. He spoke about how difficult the year

had been, he had an injury. He couldn't put together back-to-back

victories in tournaments throughout March. To come here and produce this

tennis, the team with him play a big part in that as well. It is a dream

for him to. Be aged 35 and playing your best tennis. I'm sure he's just

saying, don't wake me up here, because I'd like to continue with

this lifestyle for many years to come.

Well, good luck with that. It is, I mean 35, there are so many players

now, probably more in the main draw of the Grand Slams over 30 now than

under 30. Exactly. They keep themselves in such shape now. It is

a science out there. They know how to prepare in the season, during the

offseason, how to eat, when to train, when to take the rests. These

guys are, they are physical specimens out there. The way he

manages his game now, Lopez, he knows exactly how he should play and

does it to perfection. On this surface he's absolutely awesome.

Three times a quarter finalist at Wimbledon. You have to say, hey, he

could get there again. No question. He might be one of the bookies'

favourites to get to the quarters, not necessarily to win the title.

But you know, nobody wants the plan, that's for sure. Looking ahead,

Wimbledon, only a week away. Everyone is hoping their games,

getting -- honing their games, getting ready for Wimbledon. You

have to put Federer the favourite this week. How does anybody come

back from not playing and pick it up in two seconds flat. He lost to

Robin Haase. Them he wins easily, two sets, now is ready to go. Novak

Djokovic has gone to Eastbourne. He needs matches, doesn't he? It h will

interesting to see how he reacts to that. You know the wind will blow

down there. Does that help his game? Or does it even take his rhythm away

from him a little bit? I don't know. It is really fascinating how wide

open it is this year. How dare he say that about Eastbourne!

Absolutely lovely place, it is! So we've had a wonderful week here.

We've so much tennis to come. We've got live coverage from the All

England Lawn Tennis Club. We cannot wait for that one. Coming up

tomorrow, Live coverage of the qualifying. You can see that on the

red button and on the BBC Sport website and the app. Always

nerve-racking watching that. Tomorrow live coverage from

Devonshire Park, Eastbourne. So, all of that to come.

A final word - winner for Wimbledon? Federer. Was going to be Murray but

after Federer this week, Federer. I still think Murray, he'll have his

game face on. He will be practicing. I Lopez hit would never count him

out. I would never count him out.

That has got you in the mood for tennis. It has been quite a week!

Goodbye. # Who's the man

# I'm the man # Who's the man

# I'm the man It's away! Feliciano Lopez! He's the

champion!