Roger Federer stormed past Novak Djokovic 6-0, 7-6 (9-7) on Sunday to deliver a crushing title victory at the Cincinnati Masters, an event he has now won a record five times.
The 31-year-old Swiss world number one dominated his number two Serb rival in a 23-minute opening set sweep and then played an impressive tiebreaker in the second to ice his sixth trophy of the season from eight finals.
Federer won his 76th career title — in 79 minutes, finishing with eight aces, 28 winners and never facing a break point.
“It’s been a long summer,” said the Wimbledon champion. “The change from grass to hard courts is not easy but we all have to do it. “Even with how well I’m playing you never expect yourself to win these big matches. It’s been a great week for me.”
Djokovic failed to follow up on the Toronto Masters title he lifted a week ago after coming from the London Olympics empty-handed.
“I had a terrible first set; he started very solid on serve. He was using it very efficiently and putting a lot pressure on my serve. “I made a lot of double faults and didn’t find my rhythm; it was over in 20 minutes. I played better in the second; I thought it was very even.
“But when I had the chances I didn’t use them. He deserved to win.” But the Serb who will defend his US Open title said he was still pleased with his effort as he heads into the start of the Grand Slam in a week.
“It was finals today, so I really wanted to win — there is no question about it.
“Maybe playing a couple weeks in a row, four weeks in a row, got me maybe mentally. Physically it didn’t.” Federer moved alongside Rafael Nadal at the top of the table for Masters 1000 trophies on 21 for each. At age 31, he is the oldest man to win the Cincinnati event since Andre Agassi at the age of 34 in 2004.
Li Na overcomes Kerber
On the women’s side, China’s Li Na won her first title of the season, overcoming an awful first set to beat Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the final.
After finishing second three times this season, Li finally got a trophy with her 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory.
Kerber wore down during long rallies, grabbing her ankle at times. Li broke her serve by winning a 24-point game of the second set, putting her in control. Li hadn’t won a tournament since 2011, when she won at Sydney and the French Open.
