LONDON — Top-seeded Andy Murray rallied to beat defending champion Marin Cilic 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 on Sunday to win the Queen’s Club tournament for the third time.
It was the 27th career title for the Briton, who also claimed the trophy in 2009 and ’11, and his second of the season after winning at Miami in March.
Murray’s victory came in his first tournament since he was forced to withdraw from the French Open with a back injury.
“I worked very hard in the time that I had off to try and get myself in the best shape possible,” Murray said.
Murray held an early advantage, breaking to lead 2-0 and then fighting off three break points in the next game.
Cilic broke back at 4-2 on his sixth break point of the set and held off two break points to hold for 4-4.
Murray yelled in agony in that eighth game after straining his groin in a stretch but continued without treatment. Murray then saved break point with an ace to hold for 5-4, was broken at 5-5 and was unable to convert two break points as Cilic served out the set.
In the second set, Murray failed to win three break points at 3-2 but broke for the set when Cilic netted a forehand.
Murray dominated the final set, going 3-1 ahead when Cilic made a forehand error before closing out the match on his second match point.
The match was delayed for more than three hours by rain.
