Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic to win Cincinnati Masters

Roger Federer Cincinnati Masters
Roger Federer applauds the crowd after his win over Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer won his 7th Cincinnati Masters title in style by beating Novak Djokovic in Ohio. The Swiss maestro made short work of Djokovic as he wrapped up the final in straight sets, winning 7-6, 6-3. The 34-year-old did not lose a single set throughout the tournament.

Djokovic was aiming for his 20th ATP Masters 1000 title, but Federer made sure that the Serb would have to wait longer for that as the 34-year-old won his 7th Western and Southern Open.

Earlier in the tournament, Federer beat Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4 in the second round while demolishing Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-1, 6-1. He made short work of another Spaniard, Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4 in the quarter-final to set up a mouth-watering clash with Andy Murray in the semi-final. The 2nd seed was dominant in his 6-4, 7-6 rout of the Scot as he set up a clash with Djokovic in the final.

The first set was an even affair with both players holding their serves as the set entered a tie-break, which was a one-sided affair, 7-1, as Djokovic had no answer to Federer’s dominance.

Buoyed by the first set win, Federer started the second on the front foot holding both his serves while breaking the World No. 1 in between to take a healthy 3-0 lead. Both the players held their serves as the scoreline read 5-2 in favour of the 34-year-old. However, Djokovic held his serve to stay in the match and try to pull off a miraculous escape. Federer was in no mood to relent, though, as he held his serve to complete the win.

Federer did not lose a single game on his serve throughout the tournament – a run of 50 service games. With this loss, Djokovic extended his infamous run of losses at the final of the Cincinnati Masters to 5. There was even more good news for Federer, as with this win, he confirmed seed 2 for the US Open.

Federer confirmed his participation for next year's tournament, but refused to comment on how many more Cincinnati Masters he could win.

"I don't know how many more of these I have left, but I'll see you next year," said Federer after the win.

Djokovic conceded that Federer was the better player on the day.

"Federer is a more aggressive player here because of the fast court conditions. He was just the better player," admitted Djokovic in the post match conference.

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