Novak Djokovic (left) and Roger Federer pose with their trophies on Sunday. (AFP-Yonhap News)
MASON, Ohio (AP) ― Roger Federer finds a lot to like about Cincinnati ― the big crowds for his matches, the quiet time away from the court, the way his game seems to come together on the fast, blue courts.
Probably helps that he often takes home the trophy, too.
Make it five for Federer.
The world’s top-ranked player won a record fifth Cincinnati title Sunday, dominating second-ranked Novak Djokovic in an unprecedented way at the start of a 6-0, 7-6 (7) win for the Western & Southern Open championship.
The 31-year-old Swiss star has enjoyed many of his one-week visits. None was better than the latest.
“Looking back, it’s just unbelievable,” Federer said. “This was probably the best week for me here in Cincinnati. I didn’t lose a set. This is very sweet, no doubt about it.”
Federer heads to the U.S. Open feeling healthy and fine-tuned. He skipped the Rogers Cup in Toronto last week, giving himself some time to recover from the Olympics in London.
He’s also regained the upper hand against one of the players who stands in his way.
Djokovic had put together a run of three straight wins over Federer in tournament semifinals, starting with the U.S. Open last year. Federer turned it around by beating the Serb in the semis at Wimbledon last month.
They got together in a finals match for the seventh time in their careers Sunday. They’d split the previous six, with Federer winning the only Grand Slam championship match ― the U.S. Open in 2007.
Quickly, the latest one became a bit of personal history. They’ve never had such a lopsided day together on the court.
Ranked No. 1 and No. 2, perhaps, but worlds apart on this day.
Federer won the first set in only 20 minutes, allowing Djokovic just 10 points. It was the first time in their 28 career matches that one of them took a set 6-0. For perspective, Federer hadn’t beaten anybody 6-0 in a tournament final since 2007.
Both players seemed a bit stunned.
“I was hoping for a good start, but not like that,” Federer said.
Li rallies to beat Kerber
MASON, Ohio (AP) ― China’s Li Na was finishing lunch when the men’s final at the Western & Southern Open ended with Roger Federer posing for photos and raising the pottery trophy for the fifth time.
She tried to imagine how it would feel.
“I was thinking, ‘OK, I really want to do the same,’” she said.
A few hours later, she did it all, and more.
Li overcame an awful first set to win her first title of the season on Sunday, beating Germany’s Angelique Kerber 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the final of the Western & Southern Open.
For Federer, it was a record fifth Cincinnati title. For Li, it was her first title anywhere since her breakthrough season in 2011, when she won at Sydney and the French Open. Three times this season, she made it to the finals of a tournament. All three times, she lost in three sets.
“So I was really hungry for the title,” she said.
Li pumped her fist when she finished off another three-set title match, this time coming out on top. She posed for the photos, just like Federer, then raised the trophy.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
