Roger Federer defeated top seed Novak Djokovic 7-6, 6-3 in the Cincinnati Masters final on Sunday.
The Swiss professional tennis player claimed his 24th title at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 stage. He defeated world number two Andy Murray in the semi-finals, it marked the first instance he had toppled the top two players in consecutive matches en route to a title. Cincinnati title winner reclaimed the number two spot from the Scot in Monday’s new rankings.
The 34-year-old crushed the world number one Novak Djokovic in an hour and half to win a record seventh Cincinnati Masters title. Basel-borne Federer won the opening tie-breaker set as he took 10 of the last 11 points to claim the first set and it lasted 52 minutes. In the second set, Federer broke him and went up 3-0. After that top seed had no chance to bounce back as pressure was mounting on him.
“Now I’ve got the confidence, I’ve got the matches, and I’m actually still feeling really fresh even after this week, because the matches have been rather short,” said Federer. “I think I moved well. I was explosive moving forward. Volleys were good. I think from the baseline I was hitting my forehand very well,” he added.
The Serb was hoping to become the first singles player to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles. He made into the finals of the event for the fifth time but yet to register a win in the decider of the Cincinnati Masters. The loss was Djokovic’s third to Federer in a Cincinnati Masters final, after defeats in 2009 and 2012.
“It’s now the fifth time that I’ve been in the finals, and I’ve never won this title, so I guess to wait for Roger to retire, then try to do something after,” said Djokovic. “But I’ve been really trying, giving my best. Today wasn’t the day. I’ve been coming back each year wanting it more and more, and I want to thank you all for your support.”
This was the 41st contest between Djokovic and Federer, which now Federer leads 21-20. IMAGE/ John Minchillo/Associated Press
