Cam Norrie will be seeded at Wimbledon for the first time as compensation for losing his third final of the year at the cinch Championships.
Italian Matteo Berrettini announced himself as a genuine contender for the title by completing a hat-trick of home scalps by beating British No 2 Norrie 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in a superb display.
The big-serving world No.9 had blown away Andy Murray and Dan Evans in the earlier rounds.
But Norrie’s run to the final in the best year of his career will see him rise to world No 34 and secure a seeding of No 30 at SW19 next week.
Along with Evans, they are the first pair of British men to be seeded in the same year at their home Slam since Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman in 2002.
“It’s obviously special to be seeded at Wimbledon,” said Norrie.
“I’m obviously disappointed not to get the title but we’ll keep pushing for more and hopefully there’ll be many more chances to come.
“Definitely a week like this helps to feel like you’re ready for Wimbledon, and especially on the movement side of things on the grass.
“So it was massive for me to obviously make the final and then to pick up that seeding and knowing that you’re not going to get drawn against one of the top guys to start is another bonus.
“A lot of positives from the week so I am looking forward to Wimbledon and seeing the crowds back again like this week.”
Norrie, who also reached finals in Lyon and Estoril in the last two months, was seeking to become only the second Brit after Andy Murray to win at Queen’s Club since the Second World War.
But No 1 seed Berrettini fired down 19 aces and did not face a break point as he won the fifth and biggest title of his career.
