CINCINNATI, Aug 20, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Novak Djokovic ended a career-long
jinx, lifting the trophy in Cincinnati at last to complete a matched set of
Masters 1000 titles.
Djokovic, who came up empty in five prior Cincinnati finals, defeated
seven-time winner Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 in the final.
The former world number one became the first man to win all nine of the
ATP’s Masters 1000 events in the elite series’ current configuration.
Federer, meanwhile, lost a final in the hardcourt US Open tuneup for the
first time.
“I played five finals (here) before, and most of those finals I lost to
this great man, Roger … thank you for letting me win here once in
Cincinnati,” Djokovic joked.
“This is a dream come true,” Djokovic said. “I finally won Cincinnati after
six finals, some against the greatest ever, Roger.”
Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam winner, said his game wasn’t sharp — but he
didn’t want to take anything away from Djokovic’s achievement.
“Novak is a great champion,” Federer said. “This is about him making
history.”
Federer’s streak of 100 straight unbroken service games in Cincy was ended
by Djokovic in the seventh game of the first set.
The 37-year-old Swiss had been aiming for a 99th career trophy, but was
unable to get over the line due in part to four double-faults at the most
inopportune of times, but he said his return game was also lacking.
“It was definitely not my best day on the return – it was just awful,”
Federer said. “Missing every second serve on the forehand side, I don’t know
what that was about.
“But I don’t even want to look for reasons why it happened,” he added.
“Novak totally deserved to win today. This (effort) was not good enough.
“Good week, but I’m happy it’s over and I need to rest,” added Federer, his
eye on the US Open starting in New York in eight days.
Djokovic claimed the opening set in 37 minutes and came back from an early
break in the second to overhaul his longtime rival as they played for the
46th time.
– ‘Wonderful feeling’ –
The Serb now leads Federer 24-22 and has won their last three encounters.
The pair had not played since the 2016 Australian Open semi-finals more
than two and a half years ago.
Wimbledon champion Djokovic claimed his Masters record on his first match
point and now heads to the US Open as a title favorite after a string of sub-
par seasons and an elbow injury which required surgery.
“It’s a wonderful feeling. it’s been a couple of tough months for me with
an injury and then winning Wimbledon and Cincinnati,” Djokovic said.
Federer started the match with three aces in the opening game, then added a
pair of love games for a 3-2 lead.
But it began to unravel as the Swiss double-faulted to yield a break point,
dropping serve as Djokovic moved ahead 4-3.
Djokovic took advantage for a 5-3 lead and closed out the set after 37
minutes.
Federer broke for a 2-0 lead in the second set but gave the break back
immediately as he double faulted to give Djokovic a break point which the
Serb promptly converted.
Djokovic broke again to lead 4-3, and after Federer held to close the gap
to 4-5 Djokovic ended the afternoon in the next game on his first match
point.