PETE ZIEBRON
Novak Djokovic wins Cincinnati on his sixth trip to the Final.
Novak Djokovic saved his best tennis of the week in Cincinnati for the Final and as a result, he was finally able to win the Western & Southern Open on his sixth attempt. The Serb defeated seven-time Champion Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 last Sunday.
In three previous finals against Federer in Cincinnati, Djokovic was only able to break serve one time. However, despite saving the meager five break points against him all week in the tournament, Federer quickly had to stave off two break points in the opening game of the match. After two easy service games at love, Federer again faced break points when he served for the fourth time at 3-all and this time, Djokovic was able to secure the break on his second opportunity of the game.
Despite that fact that Djokovic had been broken thirteen times during the week, Federer's lone break would come when the Serb double faulted to hand a 2-0 lead to the Swiss early in the second set. At this point, the sold out crowd was delirious in attempting to lift Federer and his game. The fever pitch would be short lived as Federer fell quickly behind at 0-30 and was broken back immediately as he failed to consolidate the break.
After three routine holds of serve, Federer was broken yet again in the seventh game of the set as Djokovic took firm control of the match and marched to a 6-4 6-4 victory. Djokovic now leads the head to head with Federer 24-22 and is the favorite to win the US Open.
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