Federer remains perfect in Cincinnati, wins 7th title

MASON, Ohio — Roger Federer jutted his right index finger toward the summer-blue sky to celebrate his latest Cincinnati title. He would have needed both hands to count all of them.

 

Might as well just rename it the Federer Open. Or maybe subtitle it the Djokovic Heartbreak.

 

Federer remained perfect in Cincinnati finals, winning an unprecedented seventh championship on Sunday (Mondayin Manila) while denying Novak Djokovic the one title that always eludes him. Federer never faced a break point during a 7-6 (1), 6-3 victory at the Western & Southern Open.

 

The Swiss star is 7-0 in the finals, which always brings out the best in him. He loves the fast-playing courts and the small-town atmosphere in suburban Cincinnati heading into the big-city pressure of the U.S. Open.

 

"I don't know how many years I can come back, but I'll try my best to be here many more years to come," Federer said.

 

No surprise there. Federer is the undisputed king of this court.

 

"He's very good on this center court," Djokovic said. "He's more confident each year."

 

By contrast, the world's top-ranked player is 0-5 in Cincinnati championship matches, never winning so much as one set. Djokovic covets the title — the only one he needs to become the first to win all nine of the current ATP Masters events.

 

"The fifth time I've been in the title (match) and never won this title, so I guess I have to wait for Roger to retire," Djokovic said. "I've been coming back each year wanting it more."

 

Federer feels for him.

 

"I really hope you can win here someday," Federer told him on court during