Top seed Novak Djokovic beat Marin Cilic 6-3 6-4 with one break in each set to claim the Tel Aviv Watergen Trophy on ind without dropping a set in the whole week.
Djokovic won his third title in 2022 and the 89th of his career becoming the first player to win a title on hard court in Tel Aviv, on clay in Rome and on grass at Wimbledon. Next week he will be aiming to win his fourth ATP title of the season in Nur Sultan.
“I played some good very tennis. I did not drop a set the entire week. I had not played a tournament in three months, so it was really extra motivation to really do well, especially because people have been so friendly of me throughout the week. I am taking some great confidence into next week”, said Djpkovic.
The Serbian player did not drop a single set in Tel Aviv beating Pablo Andujar, Vasek Pospisil and Roman Safiulin in the run-up to the final.
Cilic faced just four break points all week, but Djokovic put the Croatian’s serve under threat and broke serve in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Djokovic did not face a break point and he found under pressure at deuce, while he was serving for the set, but he held serve with back-to-back aces to close out the first set 6-3.
Djokovic broke for the second.time in the match in the first game of the second set with a deep return. The former world number 1 player held on his next service games to seal the second set 6-4. Djokovic faced just break point in the final.
Djokovic has extended his lead to 19-2 in his 21 head-to-head matches against Cilic, who celebrated his birthday on 28 SSeptember.
“It was a fantastic week for me, celebrating my 34th birthday. I did not have a chance to celebrate with so many people around, but next time I am buying drinks for everybody”, said Cilic.
