Federer sweeps aside Djokovic in Cincinnati to underline No.1 status
updated 7:12 PM EDT, Sun August 19, 2012
Roger Federer holds the Cincinnati Masters trophy aloft after his superb final victory over Novak Djokovic.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic to win Cincinnati Masters
- Federer triumphs 6-0 7-6 in just one hour 20 minutes
- Swiss maestro increases his advantage at top of world rankings
- Li Na of China wins WTA event in Cincinnati
(CNN) -- Roger Federer strengthened his grip on the top spot in the world rankings with a crushing 6-0 7-6 victory over Novak Djokovic Sunday in the final of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournament.
The Swiss maestro needed just 80 minutes to clinch his fifth title at the hard court tournament and claim the 1,000 ranking points on offer, against 600 for Djokovic, the world number two.
Federer took ruthless advantage of claiming three of his four break point opportunities to sweep through the opener without dropping a game.
The second set was closer, but Djokovic was unable to force a single break point on the Federer service as it went to a lengthy tiebreaker.
Djokovic held a set point at 7-6 but Federer saved it with bold play and swept the next two points to clinch a morale boosting victory ahead of the final grand slam of the season in the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows.
The scoreline was similar to the last time the pair met in the Cincinnati final in 2009 when Federer won 6-1 7-5 and he has extended his career lead over the Serbian to 16-12.
Federer, who claimed the Wimbledon crown and took silver in the Olympic singles to Andy Murray, has charged back to number one and reached the Cincinnati final without dropping a set.
"I've had a magical summer. I feel good about New York -- but I'm going to savor this one for a bit." Federer said in his post-match interview.
Djokovic, who took the season opening grand slam in Australia, will be defending his U.S. Open title when it starts in New York on August 27.
Federer's victory in the final gives him his 21st Masters 1000 title, drawing level with Rafael Nadal of Spain, who is sidelined by a knee injury.
Defending Cincinnati champion Murray made a shock early exit to France's Jeremy Chardy.
China's Li Na later won the accompanying WTA tournament with a 1-6 6-3 6-1 victory over Anqelique Kerber of Germany in the final.
It was the ninth seed's first title since her French Open triumph 15 months ago.
Part of complete coverage on
updated 5:01 PM EDT, Fri June 7, 2013
For some of the biggest names in tennis, the French Open's red clay courts mean only heartbreak and shattered dreams.
updated 7:05 AM EDT, Thu June 6, 2013
She drank alcohol on court, smoked "furiously" and horrified the establishment with her daring outfits and "unladylike" playing style.
updated 10:45 AM EDT, Tue May 28, 2013
CNN's Open Court talks to the past five French Open women's champions ahead of the start of the tennis season's second grand slam tournament.
updated 9:37 AM EDT, Mon June 3, 2013
CNN's Christina MacFarlane shows us how the French Open maintains its special surface.
updated 9:43 AM EDT, Sun June 2, 2013
CNN's Christina MacFarlane shows us what it takes to be an umpire at Roland Garros.
updated 10:10 AM EDT, Mon May 27, 2013
CNN visits the Paris jewelry store that crafts the replica trophies taken home by winners French Open winners.
updated 5:39 AM EDT, Tue May 21, 2013
Nicknamed the "kissing disease," mononucleosis or glandular fever is a viral illness that is affecting tennis stars.
updated 7:29 AM EDT, Wed May 1, 2013
She towers above him, but she can't do without him. Meet the man who has made Maria Sharapova the world's wealthiest female athlete.
updated 11:11 AM EDT, Mon April 22, 2013
When Maria Sharapova underwent shoulder surgery five years ago, many thought her tennis career wouldn't last.
updated 8:58 AM EDT, Thu April 18, 2013
Nine-year-old Rebecca Suarez stunned onlookers when she was pulled out of the crowd to team up with Del Potro against Nadal.
updated 5:15 PM EDT, Thu April 18, 2013
Janko Tipsarevic is of the belief that his fellow professionals aren't doping -- or at least not on a widespread basis.
updated 10:29 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska are hoping to take their relationship to a new level by emulating tennis' most famous sisters.
updated 10:02 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
America's 18-time grand slam champion Chris Evert talks to Open Court about her career and training the next generation of players.
updated 9:44 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
CNN's Don Riddell speaks with 11-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal during one of his comeback tournaments in Mexico.
updated 10:11 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
Germany's veteran star Tommy Haas opens up to Pat Cash about being away from family on tour, and his many injuries.
updated 7:50 AM EDT, Mon March 11, 2013
You'd think John Isner and Nicolas Mahut would be sick of the sight of each other, but their friendship has grown since that epic match.
updated 11:08 AM EST, Mon March 4, 2013
Almost a decade after Andy Roddick's sole U.S. Open victory, America is still waiting for its next male grand slam winner. What's gone wrong?
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|