James Spencer reporting from Queens

Many were left stunned yesterday as Filip Krajinović denied the fans their dream Matteo Berrettini vs Marin Cilic final.

But it will be the 30-year-old from Sombor in Serbia that will face Berrettini for the famous Queen’s trophy.

And after yesterday’s impressive 6-3, 6-3 performance to put out the two-time champion Cilic, few would argue that he doesn’t deserve his place in today’s final.

Speaking to the press and myself, after making his first grass-court final, Krajinović had some interesting things to say.

Playing on grass after no previous wins

“Before I came here, I didn’t like to play on grass as I didn’t have any good results.

“So, I said to my team: I don’t want to get angry at all.  I want to try to enjoy it because I think on grass you have to like it. 

“If you start to hate it and not like it, it’s so hard to play.  But this year I changed that.

“Day by day I feel like I’m playing better and better, and now I love it on court and especially playing centre court here is a privilege,” he said.

Chances at Wimbledon

“I think players will respect me more on grass now after making the final here. 

“I am going to be seeded, which is very good and it helps me a bit.

“Wimbledon I’ve never won a match. So, I will go there and try to win some matches. 

“I’m going there with a lot of confidence which is very important on grass. Let’s see how the draw goes,” he said.

My question on handling the Marin Cilic fear factor

• ‘Looking over the net, Marin can look very intimidating, but you handled it really well. How did you do it?’

“I was really focused on my game.  I didn’t look at him at all, said Krajinović.

“I know he’s a very dangerous player.  He’s won two times here and played the final of Wimbledon. Everyone knows how dangerous he is on grass.

“I just focused on myself playing a little bit differently with a lot of slice, and serve and volley. That was my tactic,” he said. 

“I don’t think he played well today.  He was not at his usual level. But I took my chance and I think in the end I deserved to win.”

On facing Matteo Berrettini in the final

“I am just going to try to play my game and not focus on him,” said the Serbian.

“He is the favourite to win. He loves grass and is on fire right now, playing a final last week and again here.

“Let’s see how it goes.”