Cincinnati – final

(1)Roger Federer d. (2)Novak Djokovic   6-0, 7-6(7)           [1:20 h]

The 20-minute first set was a d’joke. Djokovic hadn’t lost a service games in twelve consecutive sets before the final, and all of a sudden displayed a service performance of a nervous junior, who got a privilege to face arguably the greatest player of all-time on a big arena. In the 1st game Djokovic committed a double fault and made two unforced forehand errors, in the 3rd game two double faults and an unforced backhand error, in his third service game he played a bit better but still too weak to win demanded four points. Federer in his service games was brilliant: serves, forehands and volleys worked perfectly, he wasn’t even forced to checking out his relatively weaker stroke – the backhand. The Serb was calm though, and erased his memories of the pathetic set. The full packed house witnessed a mutually good second set. No break points after twelve games, Federer began the tie-break with a 3:0 lead. Djokovic managed to get two points on Federer’s serve and led 4:3, afterwards 5:4. Federer’s first match point Djokovic fought off with a penetrating forehand, Federer leveled up at 7-all with a smash. Two cross-court forehand winners and the final was over. There’s one weakness in Djokovic’s stable mentality – despite a great tie-break ratio (131/76) he has negative record in tie-breaks which reach at least 7-all (12/18). I assume there’s no logical explanation of this fact. Federer’s comeback to the highest level this year is mesmerizing. He has quite comfortable position to regain the No. 1 in the end of the season after two-year break given Nadal’s current withdrawal and the indoor season which always lifts the Swiss maestro. I expect the upcoming US Open should be vital. All indicates that Federer and Djokovic would meet there in the final again, and a winner of this match will very likely finish 2012 as the best player in the world. In Cincinnati, Federer captured 76th title, including 21 ‘Masters 1000’ (ties Nadal) and record-breaking 5 titles at the Western & Southern Open # – it’s one of very few biggest tournaments the Serbian player hasn’t won yet. “I’m obviously very happy. If I remember correctly, this was the first win here I had also after I had twins, right? So it’s great coming back here,” said Federer. “I’ve been able to win five. It’s obviously incredible because I remember the first few here I struggled. Now looking back it’s just unbelievable. Plus this was probably the best week ever here in Cincinnati for me never dropping my serve and all that stuff and beating Novak in the final. This was very sweet. No doubt about it.” Stats of the final

Doubles final:
(4)R.Lindstedt/H.Tecau d. (6)M.Bhupathi/R.Bopanna 6-4, 6-4

# Most successful players in Cincinnati:

5 titles – Roger Federer (2005, 07, 09-10, 12)
4 – Mats Wilander (1983-88)
3 – Pete Sampras (1992-99) & Andre Agassi (1995-2004)