Cinsinnati Masters 2nd seed Novak Djokovic suffered a 0-6, 6-7 (7) defeat to top-seeded Roger Federer in the finals of the Western & Southern Open on Sunday afternoon.
Novak struggled on serve and some uncharacteristic unforced errors combined with excellent shot-making from Federer, proved decisive as Djokovic lost his 16th of 28 meetings between the two in 1 hour and 20 minutes in the first top 2 final at the event.
Nole hadn’t dropped serve entering the match, but he was broken three times in the opening set and Federer stormed to a one-set lead in just 20 minutes.
Players held their serves in the second set. Novak saved one match point and failed to convert a set point in a tense tie-break that Federer won 9-7 to take a record fifth Cincinnati title.
“He started very solid from serve,” said Nole. “He was using it very efficiently and putting a lot pressure on my serve. I made a lot of double faults and didn’t find my rhythm. Set was over in 20 minutes. I played better in the second. I thought it was very even, and then when I had the chances I didn’t use them. I didn’t step into the court, and he deserved to win.”
Match statistics: aces (2-8), double faults (5-1), winners (12-28), unforced errors (23-18), total points won (50-67).
Djokovic was bidding to lift his first Cincinnati trophy, having also finished runner-up in 2008
(l. to Murray), 2009 (l. to Federer) and 2011 (l. to Murray).
He was playing in his 49th career ATP World Tour level title match (31-18 mark) and 22nd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final (12-10).
Novak next heads to New York for the US Open, where he will defend title and 2000 points.
The last Grand slam of the season will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from August 27 to September 9.
Photo: Getty Images
