Imperious Federer eases to Cincinnati title

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-24 10:34

CINCINNATI: World number one Roger Federer warmed up for the defence of his U.S. Open title in perfect fashion as he beat fourth seed Novak Djokovic 6-1 7-5 to win the Cincinnati Masters on Sunday.

Imperious Federer eases to Cincinnati title

Roger Federer of Switzerland holds up the championship trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their championship match at the Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament in Cincinnati, August 23, 2009. [Agencies]

The 15-times grand-slam champion ripped through the first set and then came from 3-0 down to win the second and clinch his fourth title of the year.

"A good start always helps and that was the case today," Federer said at the trophy presentation. "I played awesome yesterday (against Andy Murray) as well and the whole week's been great for me."

Serb Djokovic had beaten former world number one Rafa Nadal in the semi-finals on Saturday but after a quick turnaround he looked sluggish early on.

A 13-minute second game proved crucial as Federer broke for 2-0 and another break two games later helped him to take the opening set.

Djokovic, runner-up last year, hit back well at the start of the second set and broke the Federer serve in the second game on his way to a 3-0 lead.

But the Swiss broke back two games later and forced three more break points on the Djokovic serve in the eighth game, only for the Serb to hold on.

A rare forehand mistake from Federer gave Djokovic a set point at 5-4 but the Swiss saved it with a big serve.

After holding for 5-5, Federer then broke Djokovic again and served out comfortably to clinch his 16th Masters Series title and his 61st career crown.

Djokovic said. "He was just too good today. But it's been a fantastic last couple of years for me in Cincinnati."