No matter that Feliciano Lopez is a former winner of the Fever-Tree Championships–and only two years ago. This is still without question one of the most surprising ATP final matchups in recent memory.
Lopez, 37 years old and ranked No. 113 in the world, will battle unseeded 34-year-old Gilles Simon for the title on Sunday afternoon.
Seemingly on his last legs as a player and already the tournament director of the Madrid Masters, Lopez is turning back the clock at one his favorite places. In addition to his 2017 triumph, the Spaniard also reached the final in 2014 (lost to Grigor Dimitrov in three tiebreak sets). He boasts a 24-12 lifetime record at Queen’s Club following victories this week over Marton Fucsovics, Milos Raonic, and Felix Auger-Aliassime–all from a set down.
Sunday marks the eighth career contest between these two veterans, with Lopez leading the head-to-head series 5-2. He is even more dominant against Frenchman on grass, sporting a perfect 4-0 record (9-1 in total sets). They most recently faced each other at the Stuttgart event in both 2017 and 2018, when Lopez prevailed 6-3, 6-3 and then 7-6(6), 6-4. Simon only forced a deciding set six years ago in Eastbourne, where he promptly got bageled in the third.
“I have a tough record against Feliciano, especially on grass,” the world No. 38 admitted. “I lost the final against him in Eastbourne already. He’s a difficult player to beat on grass. He keeps the ball low. He has this huge serve that is giving him a lot of free points. And then he’s moving really well and covering well the court. So it’s gonna be a physical match, also.”
A physical match is not what Simon needs, as he is in the midst of an incredibly grueling week. It started with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) win over James Ward, continued with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 upset of second-seeded Kevin Anderson, progressed to the semifinals with a 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(3) victory over Nicolas Mahut, and most recently featured a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Daniil Medvedev.
Simon’s three-hour and 20-minute struggle with Mahut is the longest match in Queen’s Club history.
Both Simon and Medvedev were about to keel over throughout the third set of their semifinal on Saturday. Lopez has been playing a ton of tennis this week, as well (also doubles with Andy Murray), but the former world No. 12 can keep points short with his big lefty serve that has always troubled Simon in the past.
Based on the surface, Simon being a question mark from a physical standpoint, and Lopez’s past history at this event, the edge goes to the wild card.
Pick: Lopez in 3
[polldaddy poll=10348588]
WWW?
Two exhausted thirty-somethings for the QC final? Who’d a thunk it? Neither of them even got their names in the WWW poll here. Feli ought to win – he’s the better grass court player but he’s also the elder and is playing dubs still. Feli can keep the points short, but they’ll be short for both guys…I’m gonna go with Feli in 2 or 3.
Me too, Feli in two or three sets. Simon is also exhausted after so many long matches, so he has no advantage over Feli, physically, imo.
I dunno. Feli looked absolutely gassed in the post-doubles interview. Heroic effort from him to get over the finish line there. Andy looked pretty tired at the end. Been a long time away for him.
Lopez just played a double match after semi-final so I think they will be both tired…
TWO doubles matches
Lopez in 3
It’s time Gilles beat Lopez on grass.
Simon in 3 (as has been the case all week).
I think either player can win this match. They have very contrasting styles that are both capable of doing an equal amount of damage. Lopez is the more authentic grass courter however. Both have improved over the past week to be close to their best.
The FAA and Raonic form lines are probably stronger than the Anderson, Mahut and Medvedev form lines.
Lopez in 3
I really like how Lopez plays the grass court game, but I have to say it’s the contrast of styles that’s more interesting. If the two players are playing same style of Lopez’s, I don’t think I enjoy it as much.
It’s the same on any surface, it’s the contrast of styles that’s more interesting on any surface.
Feli vs Murray on grass, Murray always has the upper hand ; Simon is not Murray, so Feli should win this.
Seriously, how I wish Rafa has Lopez’s lefty serve! His serve is almost unbreakable here!
Let’s see how Simon reacts in the second set after losing the first.
I think playing against Feli with all those short points, Simon won’t be feeling that tired physically, may be more competitive in the second set.
Ha ha, So Simon finally has broken Feli’s serve, something FAA failed to do. Simon is a good counterpuncher hence has a better ROS.
Simon’s gonna win the 3rd set imo. Don’t think Feli has anything left and Simon can wander around out there forever. Feli’s blowing volleys he’d normally make easily and while I can’t see the serve speeds it looks to me like he’s pitching softballs at this point. If Andy wants the dubs championship he’ll have to play outta his mind.
Feli has himself to blame! He was up 0-40 on Simon’s serve but time and again went to Simon’s BH only to be passed by Simon’s BH DTL!
He should be up 3-0 by now, instead he’s 2-1 on serve.
Amazing end! Big grats to Feli and equally big condolences to Simon!!! Unbelievable.
Congrats to Feli! Commies to Simon, what a match!
Feli was amazing in that TB. Simon will have his chances winning other title(s), as he had won two titles last year. For Feli, this is his first title in two years, so I’m happy for him. Furthermore, he plays such beautiful grass court tennis, it’s only fitting that he wins this title again.
As mentioned earlier, Simon is one person who’s so hard to put away on the tennis court for anyone. He will just fight and fight to the very last point. Simon will have his chances for other trophies I believe.
Well done to both and nice speeches from both. A nice tournament, this year at Queens, with many good matches.
great to be here!