Cincinnati – final

(4)Andy Murray d. (1)Novak Djokovic       6-4, 3-0 ret.   (1:11 h)

I expected before the tournament that physical problems would catch the unstoppable Djokovic. The Serb in the previous two rounds showed signs of tiredness, however, Monfils isn’t solid enough to take advantage of it, Berdych on the other hand, had his own problems and retired. Murray from the very beginning found his standard high level and had a break point for a double break. Djokovic broke back, but after losing four consecutive games decided to retire (in the meantime needed a treatment). Murray claims his 18th title, 7th ‘Masters 1000’, 2nd in Cincinnati (three years ago beat D’Joke in the final as well)… It’s a pity that Monfils couldn’t stand the pace in the quarter-finals and Fish lost to Murray yesterday – the American has been playing on a very high level which would have probably forced Djokovic to retire also against him in today’s final awarding Fish a “deserved” first ‘Masters 1000’ title. “I just could not serve. I served an average 90 miles per hour the first serve, and I could not play forehands,” said Djokovic, “I could have maybe played another couple of games, but what for? I cannot beat a player like Murray today with one stroke.” Just like John McEnroe 27 years ago in a comparable season of amazing supremacy over the whole tennis elite, before the US Open Djokovic has lost two matches in the same cities: Paris and Cincinnati #. Murray broke his record streak of the most wins in succession in ‘Masters 1000’ events ##. The Scot said: “It was really a good week after I struggled last week. I didn’t drop a set and beat some very good players from pretty much the first round onwards.”

Doubles final:
(3)M.Bhupathi/L.Paes d. (4)M.Llodra/N.Zimonjic 7-6(4), 7-6(2)

# Comparison of winning streaks before the US Open:

1984, John McEnroe (62-2):
42 wins in a row -> loses Roland Garros final -> 20 wins in a row -> loses Cincinnati 1st rd.
2011, Novak Djokovic (57-2):
41 wins in a row -> loses Roland Garros semifinal -> 16 wins in a row -> loses Cincinnati final

## The longest winning streaks in ‘Masters 1000′ tournaments:

31 – Novak Djokovic (2011)
29 – Roger Federer (2005-06)
19 – Pete Sampras (1994)
18 – Rafael Nadal, twice (2005 & 2010)
17 – Thomas Muster (1995)