20 Aug 2012

Federer beats Djokovic in Cincinnati

6:57 am on 20 August 2012

The world tennis number one Roger Federer has scored a comprehensive straight sets victory over second ranked Novak Djokovic in the final of the Cincinnati Masters.

Federer won 6-love, 7-6 to become the first player in the Open Era to win five Cincinnati trophies.

With the victory, Federer tied Rafael Nadal for the most ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns with 21, adding to triumphs in Indian Wells and Madrid.

It is his 76th career title.

Neither player had dropped serve entering the match, but Federer broke Djokovic in the opening game and stormed to a one-set lead in just 20 minutes.

The Serbian settled into the second set to force a tie-break, and held set point at 7-6, but Federer wiped it away with an aggressive tactic at the net and cracked back-to-back forehand winners to claim victory in 80 minutes.

Federer was not broken en route to his title run and improved to 16-12 against Djokovic.

The two could well meet in the final of the US Open which starts in New York at the end of the month.